Advertisement

USA Gymnastics boss apologises to hundreds of athletes who were sexually abused by Larry Nassar

Kerry Perry apologised to athletes affected: Getty Images
Kerry Perry apologised to athletes affected: Getty Images

The USA Gymnastics chief has apologised and said she is “appalled and sickened” by the sexual abuse of athletes by doctor Larry Nassar.

Kerry Perry vowed during a congressional hearing on Wednesday that “those days are over.”

Mr Nassar was sentenced for up to 125 years in prison after pleading guilty to criminal sexual conduct.

Michigan State University, where Mr Nassar was a doctor has agreed to pay £374 million ($500 million) compensation to 332 women who were abused by him.

Ms Perry took over as chief of USA Gymnastics last December after the resignation of the entire Gymnastics board.

Former gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar (AFP/Getty Images)
Former gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar (AFP/Getty Images)

The House of Representatives Energy and Commerce subcommittee is currently looking into whether US Olympic sports have done enough to protect athletes from sexual abuse.

Ms Perry told the committee: “First I want to apologise to all who were harmed by the horrific acts of Larry Nassar.”

She then added that poor record keeping had slowed down USA Gymnastics’ investigation into accusations against Nassar.

Representative Gregg Harper, the oversight subcommittee's chairman said that “one case of sexual abuse is too many”.

Assault: gymnast McKayla Maroney, pictured in 2012, claimed she was molested for seven years (AP)
Assault: gymnast McKayla Maroney, pictured in 2012, claimed she was molested for seven years (AP)

Mr Nassar admitted sexually abusing the victims in court and agreed that his conduct had no legitimate medical purpose and that he did not have the girls’ consent.

He said: “For all those involved ... I'm so horribly sorry that this was like a match that turned into a forest fire out of control.

"I pray the rosary every day for forgiveness. I want them to heal. I want the community to heal."

Olympic gymnasts Aly Raisman, McKayla Maroney and Gabby Douglas are among the women who have publicly said they were among Nassar's victims.

Some of his accusers - many in tears - attended the hearing on Wednesday in a packed Ingham County courtroom in Michigan.