Gymnastics abuse survivors obtain $380M settlement

A federal bankruptcy court in Indianapolis on Monday approved a $380 million settlement involving more than 500 sexual abuse victims, ending the legal aspect of the U.S. Olympic movement’s largest sexual abuse scandal.

Former USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar abused more than 300 young women, while others reported abuse by individuals affiliated with the organization. The agreement with USA Gymnastics and the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee had initially called for $425 million in damages. 

What comes next? Several of the survivors are seeking stakeholder provisions within USA Gymnastics, including seats on the organization’s Safe Sport Committee, Athlete Health and Wellness Council, and board of directors. They also plan to review the USA Gymnastics culture and practices that allowed Nassar and others to abuse female athletes for years.

Nassar received a 175-year prison sentence in 2018 after molesting hundreds of athletes.

This story originally appeared in WORLD. © 2021, reprinted with permission. All rights reserved.