Simone Biles, 2016 Olympic all-around gymnastics gold medalist, accused the USA gymnastics doctor, Larry Nassar, of sexually abusing her, joining more than 140 women who have alleged the doctor sexually abused them as well.
"Most of you know me as a happy, giggly and energetic girl,” Biles wrote in various social media posts Monday. “But lately...I've felt a bit broken and the more I try to shut off the voice in my head the louder it screams. I am not afraid to tell my story anymore. I too am one of the many survivors that was sexually abused by Larry Nassar.”
Biles continued to say she was reluctant to share her experience with Nassar but condemned the “completely unacceptable, disgusting, and abusive” behavior he exhibited.
"For too long I have asked myself, 'Was I too naive? Was it my fault?' I now know the answers to those questions,” Biles wrote. “No. No, it was not my fault. No, I will not and should not carry the guilt that belongs to Larry Nassar, USAG, and others."
Feelings... ???? #MeToo pic.twitter.com/ICiu0FCa0n— Simone Biles (@Simone_Biles) January 15, 2018
Biles also shared that the experience would make training difficult, but expressed that she wouldn't let it stop her from accomplishing her future goals.
“It is impossibly difficult to relive these experiences and it breaks my heart even more to think that as I work towards my dream of competing in Tokyo 2020, I will have to continually return to the same training facility where I was abused,” she wrote.
"I love this sport too much and I have never been a quitter," she added. "I won't let one man, and the others that enabled him, to steal my love and joy."
Biles said that she knows the experience does not define her and said it was necessary to know why Nassar’s behavior occurred for such an extended period of time and that it must be prevented in the future.
Biles shared the post with the hashtag #MeToo, a hashtag women have used to accompany their stories of sexual assault or harassment.
Other Olympic gymnasts who have already accused Nassar of sexual abuse include Aly Raisman, Gabby Douglas, and McKayla Maroney.
Nassar pleaded guilty in November to seven counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct with minors he treated. He will appear in federal court later this week to be sentenced and is anticipated to be sentenced to life in prison.