Olympic officials prepare for American gymnastics as an organizer of Olympic athletes

The US Olympic Committee has taken preliminary steps to revoke USA Gymnastics' supreme governing body status after it tried to reorganize itself after a scandal of sexual abuse.

In an open letter to the American gymnastics community, Sarah Hirshland, CEO of the US Olympic Committee, wrote: "You deserve better." Invoking the process of decertification would create new leadership, she added, acknowledging that the interim period might be difficult: "I do not know how long the process will take, and we will make every effort to proceed quickly."

This dramatic step can be linked to the scandal that shook the sport last year, when it appeared that a former team doctor, Larry Nassar, had abused hundreds of Athletes under the pretext of medical treatment. He is currently serving the equivalent of a life sentence.

The organization has engaged three leaders in less than two years. Former USA Gymnastics CEO, Steve Penny, who presided over the organization during Nassar's term, resigned in early 2017. Penny was arrested last month for allegedly tampering with evidence relating to the Nassar case. Penny pleaded not guilty.

The two successors of Penny were also forced to withdraw. Mary Bono, a former member of the American House, spent less than a week as interim CEO before resigning last month. On social media, Bono criticized Nike for introducing football quarterback Colin Kaepernick in an ad campaign. Kaepernick has been kneeling at NFL games to protest police brutality and discrimination against African Americans.

Simone Biles, the biggest star in gymnastics and a Nike sponsored athlete, has gone to Twitter to voice his disapproval of the deleted tweet from Bono.

Bono resigned shortly thereafter. Before her, the job was held for less than a year by Kerry Perry.

Despite the gesture of the USOC, the USA Gymnastics Council said that it would continue to serve the gymnastics community: "Our commitment will always be to ensure the health and safety of our members while they pursue their love of the sport. "

Despite the distress of USA Gymnastics, the women's team has triumphed in international competitions. They dominated the world championships this week and Biles won four gold medals.

Copyright NPR 2018.