Olympic
gold medalist Aly Raisman says she was abused by Larry Nassar
Aly Raisman, a six-time Olympic medalist and two-time
national team captain, said she was sexually abused by former Michigan State
and USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar, according to CBS' "60
Minutes."
Nassar already faces 22 counts of first-degree criminal
sexual conduct and could receive a sentence of life in prison.
Raisman told "60 Minutes," in an interview
scheduled to air Sunday, that she spoke to FBI investigators after serving as
national team captain at the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro. In the interview,
Raisman said she didn't know why it took so long for allegations against Nassar
to come forward.
"Why are we looking at why didn't the girls speak up?
Why not look at what about the culture?" she said. "What did USA
Gymnastics do, and Larry Nassar do, to manipulate these girls so much that they
are so afraid to speak up?"
Gymnast Aly Raisman won three Olympic gold medals -- and six
medals overall -- while serving as national team captain at the 2012 Games in
London and 2016 Games in Rio. Jean Catuffe/Getty Images
Now 23, Raisman told "60 Minutes" that she started
seeing Nassar when she was 15. She details the abuse in her book
"Fierce," which will be released on Nov. 14
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| Larry Nassar |
Raisman, who was also captain of the 2012 Games in London,
is the second member of the "Fierce Five" U.S. women's gymnastics
team -- and third Olympian overall -- to allege abuses by Nassar. Just last
month, Raisman offered her support to McKayla Maroney after she alleged abuse
by Nassar dating back to 2009, when she was just 13.
Nassar was involved with USA Gymnastics for nearly three
decades as a trainer and national medical coordinator, a role that led him to
treat the country's elite gymnasts at four separate Olympic Games.
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Gold medalist Maroney alleges abuse by Nassar
Olympic gold-medal gymnast McKayla Maroney has alleged that
former USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar abused her as early as age 13.
Perry to lead USA Gymnastics following scandal
Kerry Perry replaces Steve Penny, who resigned in March
after 12 years as president following criticism over the way USA Gymnastics
handled sexual abuse claims.
USA Gymnastics, in a statement to "60 Minutes,"
said it was "very sorry that any athlete has been harmed" and that
"we want to work with Aly and all interested athletes to keep athletes
safe."
More than 140 women are now suing Nassar and his former
employer, Michigan State University. Attorneys for the alleged victims, USA
Gymnastics, the school and other parties to the lawsuit are engaged in
court-ordered mediation in an effort to reach a settlement.
The plaintiffs are also suing USA Gymnastics, Michigan State
and other defendants. Attorneys have said that more women are expected to join
the lawsuits.
It is not known whether Raisman or Maroney are part of those
lawsuits.
Nassar has already pleaded guilty to federal child
pornography charges and is in jail, awaiting a Dec. 7 sentencing in that case.
He also faces charges in state court in Michigan, largely
related to allegations that he digitally penetrated women during medical exams
for his own sexual gratification. If convicted on any one of the 22 counts of
first-degree criminal sexual conduct, Nassar could be sentenced to life in
prison.
In the past, Nassar and his attorneys have defended the
intra-vaginal and intra-rectal procedures as accepted medical practice.
Nassar was a trainer with USA Gymnastics as far back as
1986. In 1996, he was named National Medical Coordinator, a position he held
until the summer of 2015. Nassar resigned his position from USA Gymnastics
shortly after concerns were raised about his behavior during medical exams.
USA Gymnastics never informed Nassar's employer at the time,
Michigan State University, about the circumstances surrounding Nassar's
resignation and he continued to treat patients in Michigan until he was fired
by the school in September 2016.
Raisman has called for change within the sport.
"I am angry," Raisman told "60 Minutes."
"I'm really upset because it's been -- I care a lot you know, when I see
these young girls that come up to me, and they ask for pictures or autographs,
whatever it is, I just ... I can't ... every time I look at them, every time I
see them smiling, I just think ... I just want to create change so that they
never, ever have to go through this."
Raisman has also called for sweeping changes in leadership,
including the removal of the chairman of the board, Paul Parilla. USA
Gymnastics hired Kerry Perry as its new president and CEO on Tuesday after
president Steve Penny resigned in March after 12 years on the job.
Raisman and Maroney are the highest profile gymnasts yet to
come forward publicly claiming abuse by Nassar. Jamie Dantzscher, a bronze
medalist on the 2000 U.S. Olympic team, was part of the initial wave of
lawsuits filed against Nassar in 2016.
The list of Nassar's accusers also includes several former
national team members. Jeanette Antolin, Jessica Howard and Kami MacKay have
all come forward, alleging abuse by Nassar either through the filing of
lawsuits or, in the case of MacKay, on social media.
USA Gymnastics launched an independent review of its
policies in the wake of the allegations against Nassar in the summer of 2016
following reporting by the Indianapolis Star that highlighted chronic
mishandling of abuse allegations against coaches and staff at some of its more
than 3,500 clubs across the country.
In June, the federation immediately adopted 70
recommendations proffered by Deborah Daniels, a former federal prosecutor who
oversaw the review. The new guidelines require member gyms to go to authorities
immediately, with Daniels suggesting USA Gymnastics consider withholding
membership from clubs that decline to do so. The organization also named Toby
Stark, a child welfare advocate, as its director of SafeSport. Part of Stark's
mandate is educating members on rules, educational programs, reporting and
adjudication services.
ESPN's John Barr and The Associated Press contributed to
this report.
