Entire USA Gymnastics board to resign in wake of sex abuse scandal

DETRIOT: The entire USA Gymnastics board will resign in the wake of the scandal stemming from the sexual abuse of female athletes by former doctor Larry Nassar, bowing to the demands of U.S. Olympic officials, a USAG spokeswoman said on Friday.

“USA Gymnastics will comply with the USOC requirements,” USAG spokeswoman Leslie King said in an email. She was responding to a question about whether the federation board would resign by Wednesday as demanded by U.S. Olympic Committee Chief Executive Officer Scott Blackmun.

At least five members already had said they had resigned as a result of the scandal, but the sporting body confirmed the remaining 16 would also quit.

“USA Gymnastics will comply with the USOC requirements,” spokeswoman Leslie King said.

The scandal has had far-reaching implications, with US Gymnastics also announcing they would close down their national team training centre in Texas, where Nassar abused many of his victims.

Five directors and two sporting officials at Michigan State University, where Nassar held his sports medicine practice, have also resigned.

Investigators from the US House of Representatives sent letters to the USOC, USA Gymnastics, USA Swimming, USA Taekwondo and Michigan State University, where Nassar also worked, asking questions about sexual abuse.

US senators also announced an investigation earlier this week.

“My heart breaks for the survivors of Larry Nassar’s disgusting crimes,” said US Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, whose department will also investigate Michigan State University.

“What happened at Michigan State is abhorrent. It cannot ever happen again.”