Simone Biles Says She Was Also Abused by Larry Nassar—Read Her Emotional Statement in Full
Simone Biles, the United States’ most decorated gymnast of all time, says she was the victim of sexual abuse by Larry Nassar.
Nassar, the former U.S.A. Gymnastics team doctor, is due for sentencing on Tuesday in a Michigan courthouse following a sexual abuse trial. Nassar, who also worked as gymnastics physician at Michigan State University, pleaded guilty in November to seven counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, CNN reported last year. Nassar received three consecutive prison sentences of 20 years each in December for possessing child pornography. Sports Illustrated reported he would serve that 60-year sentence alongside those for sexual assault expected on Tuesday.
On Monday, Biles added her voice to those women—more than 140, according to Sports Illustrated, including Biles’s teammates from the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games Aly Raisman, McKayla Maroney and Gabby Douglas—who have alleged abuse by Nassar.
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“Most of you know me as a happy, giggly and energetic girl. 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,” Biles wrote in her statement published on Instagram. “I am not afraid to tell my story anymore.
“I too am one of the many survivors that was sexually abused by Larry Nassar.”
“Please believe when I say it was a lot harder to speak those words out loud than it is now to put them on paper. There are many reasons that I have been reluctant to share my story, but I know now it is not my fault.”
Biles’s full statement is below.
Nassar will face testimony this week from “more than 50” women, according to the Los Angeles Daily News. U.S.A. Gymnastics, Nassar and Michigan State are also facing civil lawsuits from those who allege abuse by the 54-year-old.
The L.A. Daily News quoted a statement from U.S.A. Gymnastics in which the organization said it was, “Absolutely heartbroken, sorry and angry that Simone Biles or any of our athletes have been harmed by the horrific acts of Larry Nassar.”
