US Olympic committee initiates process to disband its gymnastics body
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The United States Olympics Committee has put the procedures on roll that will ultimately lead to the dissolvement of the United States’ Gymnastics Body. The move comes in the aftermath of the Larry Nassar’s criminal convictions, which was said to be not handled rightly by the body.
The downhill ride for the United States(US) Gymnastics does not seem to end anytime soon as the US Olympic committee has started the process to dismantle the Gymnastics body. It all started with the sexual accusations against the Gymnastics doctor Larry Nasser which ultimately lead to his conviction. Thereafter, the gymnastics body has faced one after the other hiccups.
In an open letter written to the United States’(US) Gymnasts, the Chief Executive Sarah Hirshland has said that the US Gymnastics body failed in many of its duties and thus failed to effectively serve its membership.
“You deserve better,” Hirshland told gymnasts in the letter.
Elite coach Mary Lee Tracy had made comments supportive of Nassar in 2016 when allegations of abuse against him had begun to emerge. She had to resign after the incident. The Gymnastics body Chief Executive Kerry Perry to followed soon after UNOC criticized him of underperformance. Mary Bono replaced Perry but soon left within four days as some elite athletes contested the appointment.
“The challenges facing the organization are simply more than it is capable of overcoming in its current form. We have worked closely with the new USAG board over recent months to support them, but despite diligent effort, the NGB continues to struggle and that’s not fair to gymnasts around the country. Even weeks ago, I hoped there was a different way forward. But we now believe that is no longer possible,” the letter read.
Earlier, the US Olympics Committee had already warned the Gymnastic body that if things were not handled properly they would have to pay for it. Meanwhile, Hirshland also stated that US gymnasts would continue to compete in events as normal with the full support and backing of the Olympic committee.
“In the short-term, we have to work to ensure that USAG gymnasts have the support necessary to excel on and off the field of play. We are building plans to do just that. In the long-term, it will be the critically important responsibility of the recognized Gymnastics NGB, whether the existing organization or a new one, to lead gymnastics in the United States and build on the supportive community of athletes and clubs that can carry the sport forward for decades to come.”
