Gymnasts say doctor for USA Gymnastics sexually abused them

2016-09-13 2

Two gymnasts, including a member of the 2000 U.S. women’s Olympic team, say they were sexually abused by a former longtime doctor for USA Gymnastics. Dr. Larry Nassar sexually groped and fondled the teenage Olympian under the guise of physical therapy during her elite career, according to a lawsuit filed last week in California. The Olympian is identified as “Jane Doe” in the lawsuit. Her attorneys on Monday identified her only as a medal-winning member of the team that competed in the 2000 Sydney Olympics. The second gymnast, Rachael Denhollander of Louisville, Kentucky, told the Indianapolis Star newspaper that Nassar sexually abused her in 2000 while she underwent treatment for lower back pain at Michigan State University, where Nassar is a faculty member. Nassar’s attorney toldThe Associated Press that Nassar plans to “vigorously defend himself.”