The organization hired a former federal prosecutor, Deborah Daniels, last November to conduct an independent review on how it handles sexual assault allegations
Meanwhile, other gymnasts reached settlements that would keep them from speaking publicly: McKayla in London, reportedly faced a $100,000 fine from USA Gymnastics if she spoke out about Nassar (she originally came forward in ) as part of a $1.25 million settlement. USA Gymnastics later issued a statement that said it “has not sought and will not seek any money from McKayla Maroney for her brave statements made in describing her victimization and abuse by Larry Nassar.”
The problems at USA Gymnastics weren't limited to Nassar, as revealed in the Indianapolis Star's extensive investigation. The Star discovered a pattern of coaches and others failing to report sex abuse to authorities and later uncovered more than 360 cases spanning 20 years in which gymnasts accused coaches of sexual misconduct.
Strampel was charged with crimes related to sexual misconduct and abuse of power, including sexually assaulting, verbally abusing, and soliciting nude photos from female students
The review, released in , is striking in the obviousness of its recommendations, including that all members of USA Gymnastics report abuse immediately to authorities.
USA Gymnastics is, in some ways, still reeling from the Nassar allegations. Daniels called for a “complete cultural change” at the organization, and cited the atmosphere - where elite athletes are trained and taught to defer to authority figures such as coaches - as contributing to the roadblocks of rooting out and reporting abuse. USA Gymnastics unanimously adopted all 70 of the recommendations for implementation.
But some athletes say these efforts fall far short. “My highest priority has been to push for change, so future generations of athletes will be safer,” Raisman said in a statement, after filing a lawsuit against the US Olympic Committee and USA Gymnastics. Read more