The US Olympic Committee has taken the first steps to withdraw the USA Gymnastics recognition as the national governing body of sport.

In a letter to the gymnasts on Monday, Sarah Hirshland, CEO of the USOC, acknowledged that USA Gymnastics was struggling to "change its culture, rebuild its leadership, and effectively serve its members."

In explaining why the USOC is acting now, Hirshland wrote: "The short answer is that we believe that the challenges that the organization faces are simply more than what it is able to overcome in Its current form We have worked closely with the new USAG Board of Directors in recent years, months to support them, but despite diligent efforts, the NGB continues to struggle. And it's not fair to the gymnasts of the country.A few weeks ago, I hoped that there was another way forward.But we now think that it's not no more possible. "

The news comes three weeks after the resignation of Mary Bono as acting CEO of USA Gymnastics under pressure.

Bono abruptly resigned from acting as a result of tweets by Simone Biles and other gymnasts asking if Bono was fit to lead and what message she had sent to the abused women by Larry Nassar.

USA Gymnastics on Monday issued a statement in which it said that its board of directors was sitting in June and had "inherited from an organization in crisis". The council has taken steps to change leadership and is looking for a CEO "able to rebuild the organization and, most importantly, regain the confidence of the gymnastics community," the statement said.

The USOC action on Monday sets off a process that includes a hearing before a panel of three people. The USOC will select the committee, which will be chaired by a board member of the USOC and will include a representative from the NGB Council and the Athlete Advisory Board. USA Gymnastics will have the opportunity to "present factual evidence and legal arguments regarding the allegations of the complaint" at the hearing, according to the USOC statutes.

Then, the hearing body will report to the USOC board with a recommendation on what to do. Hirshland can also submit a report to the council. After reviewing the reports and recommendations received, the board of the USOC will make a final decision.

The USOC's bylaws do not provide any kind of timetable for the process.

The USOC has exercised its ultimate authority over a national governing body only three times, canceling the recognition of an OBN or halting its funding.