Former Olympic gymnast McKayla Maroney said that the former USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar molested her when she was 13 years old. She revealed the molestation following the popular #MeToo hashtag on Twitter.
Maroney said that he abused her under the guise of medically unnecessary treatment which began when she was 13. He was still abusing her while she performed in the 2012 London Olympics. The abuse only ended when she left gymnastics in 2016
"It seemed whenever and wherever this man could find the chance, I was 'treated'. It happened in London before my team and I won the gold medal, and it happened before I won my silver," Maroney wrote.
She said the scariest night of her life happened when she was 15 years old. He gave her a sleeping pill for the flight, and the next thing she remembers is being alone with him in his hotel room getting a treatment.
“I thought I was going to die that night,” the former gymnast says.
Nassar was arrested last November. USA gymnastics also released a statement saying that it “admires the courage of those, like McKayla Maroney, who have come forward to share their personal experiences with sexual abuse".
"Because of their strength in coming forward, predators can be held accountable for their actions. We, like so many others, are outraged and disgusted by the conduct of which Larry Nassar is accused. We are sorry that any athlete has been harmed during her or his gymnastics career."
The #MeToo movement was sparked after many women came out and spoke about how movie producer Harvey Weinstein had sexually abused them.
Many women have accused Nassar of sexual misconduct. Rachael Denhollander, who is also a former gymnast, said that he abused her on five different doctor’s visits.
"Is it possible to put an end to this type of abuse? Is it possible for survivors to speak out, without putting careers, and dreams in jeopardy? I hope so," Maroney wrote.
Also Read: Harvey Weinstein fired from Motion Pictures Academy
Picture Credit: IndyStar
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