About | HeinOnline Law Journal Library | HeinOnline Law Journal Library | HeinOnline
LOG IN
LOG IN

37 Hofstra Lab. & Emp. L. J. 439 (2019-2020)
Abused in the Pursuit of a Dream: How USA Gymnastics Failed to Protect Its Gymnasts

handle is hein.journals/hlelj37 and id is 459 raw text is: ABUSED IN THE PURSUIT OF A DREAM: How USA GYMNASTICS FAILED TO PROTECT ITS GYMNASTS INTRODUCTION As more than 250 women and girls came forward to testify at the sentencing hearing of Dr. Larry Nassar, the former team doctor for USA Gymnastics (hereinafter USAG), many were left wondering, how did this happen?1 The sheer number of gymnasts molested by Nassar, who testified to the systematic abuse, raises many questions about those who were in charge of Nassar. As athlete after athlete recounted the horrors she faced at the hands of someone who was supposed to heal her, it be- came abundantly clear to everyone who paid attention that Nassar is not and should not be the only one held responsible.2 Nassar's abuse was considered by many as one of the largest sexual assault scandals in American sports and college history.3 The abuse was ongoing and hardly a secret amongst those in the shadows of the gymnastics commu- nity.4 Nassar's abuse was a result of his own abhorrent behavior, how- ever, USAG should shoulder liability for neglecting to protect its gym- nasts and for favoring their own reputation over athlete safety. Despite having multiple opportunities to stop Nassar in his tracks, USAG failed to protect its gymnasts.5 USAG's countless mistakes cre- ated a dangerous culture for gymnasts in this community.6 The athletes who trusted Nassar and other adults in positions of power at USAG were left with no one to turn to.7 USAG met concerns about sexual misconduct 1. See Alexandra Svokos, Michigan State Will Pay Survivors Of Larry Nassar's Abuse In A Massive Settlement, ELITE DAILY (May 16, 2018), https://www.elitedaily.com/p/michigan-state-will- pay-survivors-of-larry-nassars-abuse-in-a-massive-settlement-9104879. 2. See id. (Michigan State has come under intense criticism ... for their role in allowing the abuse to continue.). 3. Id. 4. Id. 5. Id. 6. Id. 7. Id.

What Is HeinOnline?

HeinOnline is a subscription-based resource containing thousands of academic and legal journals from inception; complete coverage of government documents such as U.S. Statutes at Large, U.S. Code, Federal Register, Code of Federal Regulations, U.S. Reports, and much more. Documents are image-based, fully searchable PDFs with the authority of print combined with the accessibility of a user-friendly and powerful database. For more information, request a quote or trial for your organization below.



Short-term subscription options include 24 hours, 48 hours, or 1 week to HeinOnline.

Purchase Access

Contact us for annual subscription options:

Contact Us

Already a HeinOnline Subscriber?

Log In

profiles profiles most