"We were let down and we are owed explanations." With these words, Olympic gymnast Simone Biles opened her testimony before a U.S. Senate committee on Wednesday, condemning the inaction of sports authorities and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in the face of the widespread sexual abuse committed by former USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar over two decades.

Biles was joined by McKayla Maroney, Maggie Nichols, and Aly Raisman—all former gymnasts who were among the more than 250 victims of Nassar's abuse. The Senate Judiciary Committee convened to examine the "failures" of the investigation that allowed Nassar to continue assaulting young athletes for years after first being reported to the FBI in July 2015.

Larry Nassar, now 58, is serving a life sentence after being convicted in 2017 and 2018 on multiple counts of sexual assault. The abuse took place over decades at Michigan State University, the U.S. national gymnastics training center, and a local gym in Lansing, Michigan. Despite warnings from USA Gymnastics officials in 2015, the FBI's Indianapolis field office closed its inquiry within two months. It took another tip eight months later for a proper investigation to begin, finally leading to Nassar's arrest.

"Entire System" Complicit, Says Biles

Simone Biles, the most decorated American gymnast with multiple Olympic gold medals, directed her anger beyond just one man. "I hold Larry Nassar responsible, and I hold an entire system that enabled and perpetuated these abuses responsible: USA Gymnastics and the U.S. Olympic Committee," she told the committee. Biles herself was a victim of Nassar's abuse, which she has spoken about publicly since 2018. Her testimony underscored how the institutional power of sports organizations allowed a predator to operate unchecked.

Biles's career has been defined by extraordinary athletic achievements—she is the first woman to land a triple-double in competition and has won 25 world championship medals. But her advocacy for survivors of sexual abuse has become an integral part of her legacy. She has repeatedly called for accountability and reform, including an independent investigation into how the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee and USA Gymnastics handled abuse claims.

FBI Delays and False Statements

McKayla Maroney, who was 13 when Nassar abused her, focused her anger specifically on the FBI's handling of her case. She testified that not only did the FBI fail to investigate after she gave detailed testimony, but when they finally filed a report 17 months later, they intentionally falsified what she had said. "Those FBI agents committed a crime," she stated bluntly. Maroney also noted that the Department of Justice chose not to prosecute those agents, a decision she called a miscarriage of justice.

Maroney gained fame as part of the "Fierce Five" at the 2012 London Olympics, where she won team gold and an individual silver on vault. After the abuse, she has become an advocate for survivors and has released music about her experiences. She criticized the DOJ's refusal to testify before the committee.

Aly Raisman, a two-time Olympic gold medalist who led the "Final Five" in 2016, revealed that she first reported Nassar's abuse to USA Gymnastics in 2015. Yet the FBI took 14 months to contact her, despite her repeated requests. "It was like serving innocent children to a pedophile on a silver platter," Raisman said, accusing officials of willful blindness. She condemned the sports bodies for allowing Nassar to remain at Michigan State and the local gym after his departure from the national team, where he went on to abuse dozens more young gymnasts.

Raisman has been a leading voice in the MeToo movement in sports, writing a memoir and producing a documentary about the Nassar case. She also criticized the lack of sanctions against agents who mishandled the case, particularly the supervisor who was fired but the lead agent who retired before the inspector general's report was released.

First Whistleblower Maggie Nichols Sanctioned

Maggie Nichols, the first gymnast to report Nassar to authorities, testified that her Olympic dreams were shattered after she and her coach reported the abuse in 2015. "My Olympic dream evaporated in the summer of 2015 when my coach and I reported Larry Nassar's assaults," she said. She alleged that USA Gymnastics retaliated against her by reducing her training opportunities and support, effectively ending her chances of competing for a spot on the 2016 Olympic team. Nichols, who won a gold medal at the 2015 World Championships, had been considered a top contender for Rio.

Her story exemplifies the culture of silence within elite gymnastics that allowed Nassar to thrive. She has since become an advocate for reform, pushing for mechanisms to protect whistleblowers and ensure proper investigation of abuse claims.

FBI Director Apologizes

FBI Director Christopher Wray appeared before the committee and offered a formal apology to the victims. "The fundamental mistakes made in 2015 and 2016 should never have happened," he acknowledged. He confirmed that the agent who supervised the case has been fired, but expressed frustration that the lead agent avoided discipline by retiring before the inspector general's report was completed. Wray noted that the agent had asked USA Gymnastics for a job as head of security—a detail that has raised concerns about conflict of interest.

Wray also outlined reforms: improved training for FBI agents on sexual violence cases, new protocols for handling such reports, and better coordination with other agencies. However, critics argue these changes come too late for the hundreds of victims.

Background on the Nassar Scandal

The story broke in September 2016 when the Indianapolis Star published an investigation into sexual abuse allegations against Nassar. It was the largest sex abuse scandal in American sports history. Nassar pleaded guilty to federal charges of child pornography and state charges of criminal sexual conduct. During his sentencing, more than 150 victims gave impact statements, many of them prominent gymnasts including Biles, Raisman, and Maroney.

Michigan State University agreed to pay $500 million to settle claims from more than 300 victims. USA Gymnastics declared bankruptcy and was stripped of its governing status by the U.S. Olympic Committee. The organization has since been restructured but continues to face legal challenges. The scandal also led to the passage of the Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse Act, which requires organizations to report abuse promptly.

At the state level, legislation has been enacted to increase penalties for institutions that cover up abuse. Yet many survivors feel justice remains incomplete, as high-powered officials who may have known about the abuse have largely escaped accountability. The Senate hearing was intended to address those lingering questions, but the DOJ's refusal to send a representative underscored the challenges of federal oversight.

The emotional resonance of the testimonies this week cannot be overstated. Simone Biles, who returned to gymnastics after a two-year hiatus following the Tokyo Olympics, has become a symbol of resilience. Her personal journey—including stepping back during the 2020 Tokyo Games to prioritize her mental health—has inspired a broader conversation about athlete well-being. Now, she uses her platform to demand systemic change.

The committee hearing concluded with lawmakers from both parties pledging to pursue reforms. But for the survivors, words are not enough. As McKayla Maroney said, "We need action, not apologies." The question remains whether Congress will translate this moment into lasting accountability for institutions that failed to protect children.

Source: leparisien.fr News