Sexual assault victims of disgraced USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar have reached a $380 million settlement.
The settlement was approved on Monday between the victims and the USA Gymnastics, the US Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC), and their insurers. In addition to the monetary compensation, the settlement will also include non-monetary obligations, such as allowing Nassar victims to serve on boards that will implement safety procedures for future athletes.
Many survivors came forward, including Olympic gold medalists Aly Raisman, Simone Biles, and McKayla Maroney. All three women shared similar tales of sexual abuse while being treated by Nassar, who was the primary physician for gymnasts in the Olympics and at Michigan State University for 18 years. He is currently serving over 60 years in federal prison for child pornography and was also sentenced to an additional 40-to-175 year state prison sentence in Michigan for seven counts of criminal sexual conduct.
After the agreement was announced Monday, Sarah Hirshland, CEO of the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee, issued a statement offering her sympathy to victims who the organization failed.
“We are grateful to have reached a resolution with the athlete survivors. We have the deepest respect for the tremendous strength and bravery these women have shown. We recognize our role in failing to protect these athletes, and we are sorry for the profound hurt they have endured,” her statement read.
Raisman, Biles, Maroney, and other survivors have slammed USA Gymnastics and Olympic officials for failing to protect victims who reported Nassar over the years. They even called out the FBI for an inadequate investigation into the predatory doctor.
Olympic athletes and student-athletes with Michigan State University have now received about $880 million in settlements stemming from Nassar’s abuse. Facing intense scrutiny, the USA Gymnastics filed for bankruptcy in 2018.
