Simone Lane, Ally Roberts & Others Criticize USA Gymnastics in Heartfelt Testimony

The Senate recently heard heartfelt testimonies from a group of renowned female gymnasts who have endured sexual abuse at the hands of Larry Nassar. Feeling betrayed, these athletes, including Simone Lane, Ally Roberts, Maggie Johnson, and McKayla Moore, expressed their deep frustrations regarding the failures of both the governing bodies of their sport and federal investigators, which contributed to their ongoing trauma.

Simone Lane’s Opening Remarks

In her opening remarks, Simone Lane was candid, telling Senators that the suffering experienced by her and many other young gymnasts stemmed from a simple truth: “USA Gymnastics (USAG) and the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) — failed to do their jobs.” She condemned the organizations for ignoring the abuse that was taking place. “I also blame an entire system that enabled and perpetuated his abuse. USA Gymnastics and the USOPC were aware of my abuse at the hands of their official team doctor long before I even knew they were aware,” she stated emphatically.

Expressing a desire to protect future athletes, she added, “I don’t want another young gymnast, Olympic athlete, or any individual to endure the horror that I and countless others have faced, both during and after the Larry Nassar abuse.”

McKayla Moore’s Criticism of the FBI

McKayla Moore, a fellow gold medalist, also directed criticism at the FBI, claiming that officials mishandled her case. “Certain FBI agents chose to falsify what I said and hide Nassar’s crimes from the public, the media, and crucially, other victims,” she revealed. Moore highlighted the slow response from the FBI, stating that her report wasn’t officially logged for nearly a year and a half after she first came forward. “They betrayed me and allowed many girls and women to continue suffering at the hands of Larry Nassar,” she remarked.

Ally Roberts on the Investigation Process

Ally Roberts voiced her own dissatisfaction with the investigation process. “It disgusts me that we are still fighting for basic answers and accountability six years later,” she lamented. Roberts also mentioned that despite her repeated attempts to reach the FBI for an interview regarding Nassar, she waited over a year for any communication. “I felt pressured by the FBI to accept Nassar’s plea deal. The agent downplayed the significance of my abuse,” she recounted, feeling that USA Gymnastics prioritized financial gain over the safety of young athletes. “Why did USAG and USOPC choose to ignore reported abuse? Was it for sponsorships, their jobs, or to evade criminal liability?” she questioned.

Maggie Johnson’s Call for Accountability

Maggie Johnson, a two-time national champion, insisted that Nassar isn’t the only one deserving punishment. “To date, no one from the FBI, the USOPC, or USAG has faced federal charges, aside from Larry Nassar. For many survivors, this hearing represents one of our last chances for justice. We urge you to ensure that those who engaged in wrongdoing are held accountable,” she implored.

While Nassar is likely to spend the rest of his life in prison, the question remains whether others will be held accountable. The road to healing from his abuse continues for the hundreds of survivors. “The scars from this horrific abuse remain with all of us. As the only competitor in the recent Tokyo Games who endured this trauma, I can attest that the effects of this man’s actions are far from over,” Lane concluded.

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Summary

Simone Lane, Ally Roberts, Maggie Johnson, and McKayla Moore delivered emotional testimony to the Senate, expressing their feelings of betrayal over the mishandling of their abuse cases by USA Gymnastics, the USOPC, and the FBI. They called for accountability and sought justice not only for themselves but for all survivors of Larry Nassar’s abuse.