Larry Nassar has been convicted of sexual assault, and plead guilty to abusing young gymnasts while he worked as doctor at Michigan State, USA Gymnastics, and on the US Olympic Team. The scandal surrounding his abuse of young gymnasts was the biggest sexual abuse scandal in sports history, and a total of 156 victims gave victim impact statements in court. He was ultimately sentenced to up to 175 years in prison. Some of America’s most famous gymnasts – Simone Biles, Aly Raisman, and McKayla Maroney – are among his victims.
Michigan State has reached a $500 million settlement for the victims who were under their care, but USA Gymnastics hasn’t been quite as responsive.
USA Gymnastics (USAG) have offered up a $215 million settlement, which would be paid to victims based on the category of abuse that each victim suffered. In a break down of the way that the money would be distributed, a “non-elite” athlete could be paid $508,670, where as an Olympic level athlete could be paid $1,250,757.
Because apparently the level of abuse you suffered is dependent on whether or not you can stick a landing well enough to make the national team.
Oh, and by the way, if you take the money you’re banned from taking any future legal action against everyone who allegedly knew about Larry Nassar’s abuse. So that’s a fun addition.
Some of the abused athletes, including Simone Biles, are speaking out against the settlement, and Aly Raisman has called it a “cover up.” Everyone is asking for better from USAG and the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC).
The Larry Nassar abuse scandal was absolutely horrific, and the effects of it are still being felt throughout the sport today – and will be for a long time. The athletes deserve so much better than hush money.
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