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The US Olympic Committee announced Monday that it would begin the process of revoking the status of the USA Gymnastics as the national governing body of the sport. Just days after the close of the 2018 World Championships in Doha, Qatar, where the US women's team won the gold and where Simone Biles and Morgan Hurd won seven more medals, the CEO of the USOC, Sarah Hirshland, sent a letter to its members. stated that the organization had failed "to change its culture, rebuild its leadership and effectively serve its members".
After at least a year mired in the Larry Nbadar scandal and several executives changes full of errors, the news is far from unexpected, even if its timing is surprising. Here is what we know and what we do not know up to now and what we expect.
What prompted the USOC to decide to revoke the status of the governing body of USA Gymnastics?
How much time do you have? USAG had a tumultuous year of one and a half years, resulting from Rachael Denhollander's first public accusations of abuse by former team doctor, Larry Nbadar, in August 2016. Hundreds others came later, and after 156 women made painful statements. At Nbadar's trial in January, he was sentenced to 40 to 175 years in prison. Among those who shared stories of abuse were former members of the national team, including Biles, Aly Raisman, McKayla Maroney, Jordyn Wieber, Kyla Ross, Madison Kocan, Maggie Nichols and Jamie Dantzscher.
Details later revealed that several senior USAG officials were aware of the charges against Nbadar in 2015, but had not informed authorities or officials at Michigan State University, where he was working. also as a doctor. Although the USAG suspended Nbadar that year, he continued to see patients at school until 2016.
The US Olympic Committee plans to revoke the status of supreme organ of sport at the Olympic level for USA Gymnastics.
A former Olympic gymnast and her sister, who also participated in the national team, claim that the USA Gymnastics allowed and prevented prevention of badual abuse by the team's former physician. , Larry Nbadar.
USA Gymnastics owes survivors, athletes and the public to be open and honest in its next search for a new CEO, writes Arcy Maine, of EspnW.
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Former USAG president, Steve Penny, arrested last month and accused of falsifying evidence related to the Nbadar investigation, resigned in March 2017 after appeals on his dismissal. Kerry Perry, who took on the role in December 2017, was then the subject of a thorough review after appointing Mary Lee Tracy – a coach who continued to defend Nbadar well after dozens of women got together. be presented – to a Development Coordinator position. Perry was invited to retire in September. Former congressman Mary Bono was appointed interim president last month for a four-day term. she was employed by the law firm hired by USAG in 2015 after discovering allegations of abuse and, before being named CEO of USAG, had sent a tweet criticizing Nike and her support to Colin Kaepernick. In January, all members of the USAG Board of Directors resigned at the request of the USOC.
This series of major missteps cast doubt on the future of the organization and posed serious questions about its effectiveness and ability to lead and protect members of the gymnastics community.
As Hirshland wrote to the gymnasts in his letter: "You deserve better."
Why now?
Hirshland addressed this issue in his letter to the athletes: "The short answer is that we believe that the challenges facing the organization are simply more than what it is able to overcome in its current form" , she said. "In recent months, we have worked closely with the new USAG Board of Directors, but despite the diligent efforts deployed, the NGB [national governing body] continues to struggle. And it's not fair for gymnasts across the country. Only a few weeks ago, I hoped the way forward would be different. But we now believe that it is no longer possible. "
The World Trampoline and Tumbling Championships, which will feature American athletes, will kick off this week in Russia. Otherwise, no major gymnastics event is planned until March.
Will USAG voluntarily give up its recognition?
Hirshland said she had given the organization the opportunity to do it. In a statement issued shortly after the USOC announcement, the USAG board of directors said his group "was carefully reviewing the contents of this letter and evaluating the best way to follow for our athletes, our professional members, the organization and the staff ". He went on to detail many of the challenges and changes that the board faced and said he was looking for a new CEO.
What happens next?
USAG will now have the opportunity to appear before a panel to "present factual evidence and legal arguments about the allegations of the complaint," according to the USOC statutes. The committee, selected by the USOC, will consist of three individuals – a representative of the National Council of Governing Bodies and the Athlete Advisory Board, and chaired by a member of the USOC Board of Directors. The panel will recommend further action and the USOC will make its final decision on the fate of the USAG. It is important to note here that the USAG could ultimately retain its governing body status and that Monday's announcement does not constitute an immediate death sentence for the organization.
Hirshland said that there was no set timetable for such a process, but that the USOC will do everything possible to proceed quickly. " With the 2020 Olympic Games fast approaching, we could badume that they would like to move on anyway as soon as possible.
Is this unprecedented?
No, but it is rare. The USOC has revoked the status of a governing body only three times before.
What does it mean for Biles, Hurd and all the other athletes who wish to compete in Tokyo in 2020?
Whether USAG successfully defends its case and remains in power or that the USOC revokes its status, the committee will make every effort to ensure that the US team is ready to compete and has all the necessary resources that athletes need to win medals. It is unlikely that the USOC will let this process get in the way of a star like Biles. In his letter, Hirshland insisted that the USOC will provide support to Olympic hopefuls who could represent us in Tokyo in 2020 ".
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