Revealed at U.S. Senate Hearing
[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] Simone Biles, the "Queen of Gymnastics" from the United States, testified that U.S. federal judicial authorities and gymnastics officials "turned a blind eye" to the sexual abuse suffered by her and other female U.S. gymnasts.
On the 15th (local time), according to the British BBC, a hearing was held at the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee where testimony was given regarding the FBI and Department of Justice's inadequate investigation into the habitual sexual abuse committed by former U.S. gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar.
Biles appeared at the hearing and testified, "I was subjected to habitual sexual abuse by team doctor Nassar."
She continued, "I criticize not only Nassar but also the system that enabled his crimes," raising her voice, "If predators are given the opportunity to harm children, the consequences will be severe."
She added, "The FBI also failed to investigate promptly, and long before I reported the sexual abuse, the U.S. gymnastics team and the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee were aware that I was being sexually abused by Nassar."
In addition to Biles, three other team members who appeared at the hearing also revealed that they were sexually abused by Nassar.
Larry Nassar, Michigan State University gymnastics coach, on trial for sexual assault allegations. / Photo by Yonhap News
Nassar, who served as the team doctor for Michigan State University's gymnastics team, was sentenced to over 300 years in prison for sexually assaulting and abusing about 300 athletes and is currently serving his sentence. It was also revealed that after being appointed as the team doctor in 2018, he committed the same crimes against team athletes.
Despite his imprisonment, the hearing was held because it was revealed that the FBI knew about the case but neglected it. Due to the FBI's delayed response, investigations found that there were approximately 70 additional victims before Nassar was arrested.
Michael Horowitz, the Department of Justice Inspector General, admitted, "The FBI failed to respond promptly to allegations of Nassar's sexual abuse of athletes." FBI Director Christopher Wray, who acknowledged that "the FBI's failure is an unforgivable mistake," said, "The FBI will certainly remember this case and will ensure that such an incident never happens again."
Meanwhile, Biles, who won four Olympic gold medals at age 19 and recorded 14 world championship gold medals by age 22, is called the "Queen of Gymnastics" in the U.S. At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, she qualified for the finals in all events but withdrew from the competition for "mental stability."
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