Kerry Perry Resigns As USA Gymnastics CEO
USA Gymnastics CEO Kerry Perry resigned her position after receiving criticism from former Olympians and current national team members, the organization announced Tuesday.
The Orange County Register was the first to report on Perry being forced to resign.
"On behalf of the Board of USA Gymnastics, I want to thank Kerry for her leadership under very difficult circumstances,” said Karen Golz, chair of the USA Gymnastics Board. “In the wake of horrific events that have impacted our athletes and the entire gymnastics community, USA Gymnastics has made progress in stabilizing itself and setting a new path to ensure that the safety and interests of our athletes remains at the heart of our mission."
Perry has only been on the job since December, when she took over for Steve Penny. Penny resigned in March 2017.
The organzation's Board of Directors created a management committee to help oversee the day-to-day operations until an interim CEO is named.
Perry was ripped for not connecting with survivors who endured sexual abuse at the hands former USA Gymnastics and U.S. Olympic team physician Larry Nassar. Nassar is currently serving time in a Florida penitentiary after being convicted of federal child pornography charges.
In January, Nassar was sentenced to 40 to 175 years in prison for sexual assault in Michigan. More than 300 women said that were abused by Nassar, including Olympic gold medalists Simone Biles, Aly Raisman, McKayla Maroney, and Gabby Douglas.
Perry's forced ouster is the second in the past week of an USA Gymnastics staff member. Mary Lee Tracy resigned as USA Gymnastics elite development coordinator after being on the job just three days.
USA Gymnastics also faces dozens of lawsuits alleging that they knew Nassar had assaulted gymnasts who participated with the organization.
