Three former U.S. gymnasts met with high-ranking senators to detail their sexual abuse at the hands of jailed team doctor Larry Nassar.
The trio were Jordyn Wieber, gold medalist at the 2012 Olympics, Jamie Dantzscher, bronze medalist at the 2000 Games, and ex-national team member Jeanette Antolin.
Lisa Lorincz joined the athletes on Capital Hill on Wednesday as a stand in for her daughter Kaylee Lorincz who couldn’t attend because of a competition.
Larry Nassar was sentenced to at least 140 years jail sexually abusing former U.S. Olympic gymnasts when he was their team doctor
Three former U.S. gymnasts including Jeanette Antolin (pictured at Nassar’s sentencing hearing) met with high-ranking senators to detail their sexual abuse at the hands of Nassar
They met with senators Jerry Moran and Richard Blumenthal, who lead the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation subcommittee.
‘The young women’s stories we heard today reinforced our determination to root out abuse in youth sport governing bodies,’ they told USA Today after the meeting.
‘We are hopeful for renewed commitment from all Olympic organizations to eradicate all sexual abuse and other misconduct, and to raise a generation of athletes who feel safe competing in the sports they love.
‘As chairman and ranking member of the Senate committee with jurisdiction over USOC and other governing bodies, we intend to continue our thorough investigation.’
Their subcommittee launched an investigation into the U.S. Olympic Committee, USA Gymnastics and Michigan State University after Nassar’s conviction.
Jordyn Wieber, gold medalist at the 2012 Olympics, told the senators of how Nassar repeatedly sexually abused her
Jamie Dantzscher, bronze medalist at the 2000 Games, claimed in a lawsuit Nassar would would ‘digitally penetrate Plaintiff’s vagina in order to adjust her bones’ without gloves
All three gymnasts detailed their abuse either at Nassar’s sentencing, or in lawsuits filed after his convictions in July and November.
‘I am angry with myself for not recognizing the abuse, and that’s something I’m struggling with today,’ Wieber said at a January sentencing hearing.
‘The people who are responsible need to accept accountability.’
Dantzscher claimed in a lawsuit Nassar would would ‘digitally penetrate Plaintiff’s vagina in order to adjust her bones’ without gloves.
Antolin said in her lawsuit Nassar fondled and groped her feet, ankles, thighs, buttocks, hips, waist and neck without gloves for sexual gratification.
The meeting was held on the same day USOC chief executive Scott Blackmun resigned to battle prostate cancer.
The USOC is conducting an independent review of when Mr Blackmun and others learned the details about abuse cases at USA Gymnastics and whether they responded appropriately.
However, chairman Larry Probst said he served with distinction and the board found no reason to relieve him.
Antolin (centre) and Dantzscher (second from right) with Senator Dianne Feinstein (left) and other Nassar victims
More than 260 women and girls accused Nassar of sexual abuse going back well over a decade. He was the team doctor for USA Gymnastics in 1996-2014
Mr Blackmun forced all 21 USA Gymnastics board members to resign in the wake of the scandal and has been proactive in his attempts to prevent future abuse.
But John Manly, lawyer for several Nassar victims suing for damages and court oversight of USA Gymnastics, said victims speaking out forced him to resign.
‘USOC has focused nearly all its efforts on money and medals while the safety of our athletes has taken a back seat,’ he said.
Nassar was sentenced to at least 140 years jail for 10 counts of sexual abuse in two Michigan court judgements, and in federal court for child pornography.
More than 260 women and girls accused him of sexual abuse going back well over a decade. He was the team doctor for USA Gymnastics in 1996-2014.
The meeting was held on the same day USOC chief executive Scott Blackmun resigned to battle prostate cancer