Simone Biles Reveals Former USA Gymnastics Doctor Larry Nassar Sexually Abused Her
Simone Biles is the latest U.S. Olympic gymnast to allege that former USA gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar sexually abused her.
Biles made the revelation with a letter on her Twitter page that was captioned "Feelings.." along with the #MeToo hashtag.
Her full post can be found below:
"Most of you know me as a happy, giggly, and energetic girl. But lately...I've felt a bit broken and the more I try to shut off the voice in my head the louder it screams. I am not afraid to tell my story anymore. I too am one of the many survivors that was sexually abused by Larry Nassar. Please believe me when I say it was a lot harder to first speak those words out loud than it is now to put them on paper. There are many reasons that I have been reluctant to share my story, but I know now it is not my fault.
It is not normal to receive any type of treatment from a trusted team physician and refer to it horrifyingly as the "special" treatment. This behavior is completely unacceptable, disgusting, and abusive, especially coming from someone whom I was TOLD to trust.
For too long I've asked myself, "Was I too naive? was it my fault? I now know the answer to those questions. No. No, it was not my fault. No, I will not and should not carry the guilt that belongs to Larry Nassar, USAG, and others.
It is impossibly difficult to relive these experiences and it breaks my heart even more to think that as I work towards my dream of competing in Tokyo 2020, I will have to continually return to the same training facility where I was abused.
After hearing the brave stories of my friends and other survivors, I know that this horrific experience does not define me. I am much more than this. I am unique, smart, talented, motivated, and passionate. I have promised myself that my story will be much greater than this and I promise all of you that I will never give up. I will compete with all of my heart and soul every time I step into the gym. I love this sport too much and I have never been a quitter. I won't let one man, and the others that enabled him, to steal my love and joy.
We need to know why this was able to take place for so long and to many of us. We need to make sure something like this never happens again.
As I continue to work through the pain, I kindly ask everyone to respect my privacy. This is a process, and one that I need more time to work through.
XO, Simone Biles"
More than 100 women have come forward and said that they were victims of sexual abuse by Nassar. He admitted to sexually assaulting gymnasts, possessing child pornography and molesting girls under the guise of medical treatment.
In December, Nassar was sentenced to 60 years in federal prison for possessing child pornography. He is expected to be sentenced on seven sexual assault charges this week.
Nassar was USA Gymnastics' team physician for almost 20 years before he was fired in the summer of 2015.
Biles joins her Olympic teammates McKayla Maroney, Aly Raisman and Gabby Douglas as recent Olympians who have come forward with allegations against Nassar.
