Larry Nassar, the former USA Gymnastics and Michigan State University doctor, has been charged with multiple counts of sexual assault following an FBI investigation. The case has been described as the biggest sexual abuse scandal in sports history, with victims including Olympic gold medallists Simone Biles and McKayla Maroney.
Nassar, who treated gymnasts for decades, used his reputation to groom victims, often performing so-called 'pelvic exams' in unsupervised settings such as hotel rooms or dorm beds. Despite complaints dating back to 1998, both USA Gymnastics and Michigan State University ignored warnings, according to testimony from former patients.
During a week-long sentencing hearing, over 150 women gave impact statements detailing lives affected by trauma. Judge Rosemarie Aquilina sentenced Nassar to up to 175 years in prison, telling him: 'You are not a doctor now.'
Experts say the abuse was enabled by a culture in gymnastics that prioritises medals over athlete welfare. Former national champion Jennifer Sey noted that abusers were often protected due to their coaching status, with athletes fearing ostracism if they spoke out.
