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USA Gymnastics board to quit over Larry Nassar abuse | |
(about 4 hours later) | |
The entire USA Gymnastics (USAG) board has said it will comply with a US Olympic Committee's (USOC) ultimatum to resign over an abuse scandal. | |
The USOG earlier said the 18-member board must step down by 31 January or lose status as a sports governing body. | |
The USOC outlined steps the board must take after ex-USAG doctor Larry Nassar was sentenced to 40 to 175 years for sexually abusing young athletes. | |
Five directors of the USAG board have already resigned amid the fallout. | |
Two Michigan State University (MSU) officials have also quit after the school became embroiled in the scandal. | Two Michigan State University (MSU) officials have also quit after the school became embroiled in the scandal. |
Michigan State athletic director Mark Hollis stepped down on Friday following reports that the school knew of the abuse claims but failed to take action. | Michigan State athletic director Mark Hollis stepped down on Friday following reports that the school knew of the abuse claims but failed to take action. |
He said he was "brought to tears" as he listened to Nassar's victims during his sentencing on Tuesday. | He said he was "brought to tears" as he listened to Nassar's victims during his sentencing on Tuesday. |
"My heart breaks thinking about the incomprehensible pain all of them and their families have experienced," he said in a statement. | "My heart breaks thinking about the incomprehensible pain all of them and their families have experienced," he said in a statement. |
Nassar, 54, worked at MSU between 1997 and 2016 and served as national medical co-ordinator for USAG from 1996 to 2014. Nearly 160 women have accused him of sexual abuse. | Nassar, 54, worked at MSU between 1997 and 2016 and served as national medical co-ordinator for USAG from 1996 to 2014. Nearly 160 women have accused him of sexual abuse. |
USAG has admitted dragging its feet on alerting the authorities when it learned of abuse allegations against Nassar in 2015. | USAG has admitted dragging its feet on alerting the authorities when it learned of abuse allegations against Nassar in 2015. |
Multiple molestation complaints from young athletes against the physician between 1997 and 2014 were ignored by MSU. | Multiple molestation complaints from young athletes against the physician between 1997 and 2014 were ignored by MSU. |
USOC CEO Scott Blackmun wrote in a letter on Thursday that USAG board directors had six days to resign and until 28 February to replace them with an interim panel. | USOC CEO Scott Blackmun wrote in a letter on Thursday that USAG board directors had six days to resign and until 28 February to replace them with an interim panel. |
"While the USOC encourages USAG to think and act broadly on reforming its culture, we also believe that reform must start with an entirely new board," Mr Blackmun wrote. | "While the USOC encourages USAG to think and act broadly on reforming its culture, we also believe that reform must start with an entirely new board," Mr Blackmun wrote. |
He outlined six steps the sports body must take, including: | He outlined six steps the sports body must take, including: |
In a statement on Thursday night, USAG said it "completely embraces the requirements outlined" in the letter and "appreciates the opportunity to work with the USOC to accomplish change". | In a statement on Thursday night, USAG said it "completely embraces the requirements outlined" in the letter and "appreciates the opportunity to work with the USOC to accomplish change". |
Michael Burns, the head men's gymnastics coach at the University of Minnesota, became at least the fifth member to resign from USAG's board on Friday. | Michael Burns, the head men's gymnastics coach at the University of Minnesota, became at least the fifth member to resign from USAG's board on Friday. |
He confirmed in an email he submitted his resignation letter on Wednesday. | He confirmed in an email he submitted his resignation letter on Wednesday. |
Both USAG and MSU deny there was a cover-up, but some victims have criticised both organisations for not doing enough to prevent the abuse. | Both USAG and MSU deny there was a cover-up, but some victims have criticised both organisations for not doing enough to prevent the abuse. |
Mr Hollis' resignation from the university comes a day after the Michigan State University President Lou Anna Simon quit amid increasing calls for her resignation over the case. | Mr Hollis' resignation from the university comes a day after the Michigan State University President Lou Anna Simon quit amid increasing calls for her resignation over the case. |
But it was revealed on Friday that Ms Simon can opt to return to a faculty position and take a 12-month leave of absence to conduct research, during which time she would receive her $750,000 (£529,000) salary, according to her contract, which was provided to CNN by Michigan State spokesman Jason Cody. | But it was revealed on Friday that Ms Simon can opt to return to a faculty position and take a 12-month leave of absence to conduct research, during which time she would receive her $750,000 (£529,000) salary, according to her contract, which was provided to CNN by Michigan State spokesman Jason Cody. |
Olympic gold medallist Aly Raisman, who testified at Nassar's sentencing, slammed USOC in a tweet on Thursday. | Olympic gold medallist Aly Raisman, who testified at Nassar's sentencing, slammed USOC in a tweet on Thursday. |
Also on Friday, the US House Energy and Commerce Committee announced it would launch an investigation into sexual abuse in organised sports following Nassar's case. | Also on Friday, the US House Energy and Commerce Committee announced it would launch an investigation into sexual abuse in organised sports following Nassar's case. |
The committee sent letters to USOC, USAG, MSU, USA Swimming, and USA Taekwondo. | The committee sent letters to USOC, USAG, MSU, USA Swimming, and USA Taekwondo. |