Olympic gymnastics gold medalist McKayla Maroney says she was
sexually assaulted by a USA gymnastics doctor and was sexually abused for
several years starting at age 13.
Maroney shared her
story on Twitter and posted under the hashtag #MeToo.
"I
had a dream to go to the Olympics," she writes in a statement posted
to Twitter, "and the things that I had to endure to get there, were
unnecessary, and disgusting."
"Dr.
Nassar told me that I was receiving 'medically necessary treatment that he had
been performing on patients for over 30 years,' " she writes. "It
started when I was 13 years old, at one of my first National Team training
camps, in Texas, and it didn't end until I left the sport." She says the
abuse continued in London during the 2012 games.
Maroney says the
scariest night of her life happened when she was 15 years old, when the team
traveled to Tokyo. She says Nassar gave her a sleeping pill to help her sleep
on the flight, and when she awoke she was alone with him in his hotel room,
"getting a 'treatment.' " She does not describe his specific actions.
"I thought I was
going to die that night," she writes.
Maroney retired from gymnastics in 2016, at age 20. She
sprang to fame with strong routines at the 2012 Olympics, and her look of
dissatisfaction at her silver medal performance in the vault final gave rise to
the "McKayla is not impressed" meme.
Her story of
molestation by Nassar echoes the accounts of many others. More than 125 women
have sued the former team doctor, alleging abuse.
Attorneys representing
Nassar had no comment on Maroney's accusations.
"People should know that this is not just happening in
Hollywood," Maroney said. "This is happening everywhere.
Wherever there is a position of power, there seems to be potential for abuse. I
had a dream to go to the Olympics, and the things that I had to endure to get
there were unnecessary and disgusting."'
Maroney's full post can be
read below:
"Everyone's words
over the past few days have been so inspiring to me. I know how hard it is to
speak publicly about something so horrible, and so personal, because it's
happened to me too.
People should know that
this is not just happening in Hollywood. This is happening everywhere. Wherever
there is a position of power, there seems to be potential for abuse. I had a
dream to go to the Olympics, and the things that I had to endure to get there,
were unnecessary, and disgusting.
I was molested by Dr.
Larry Nassar, the team doctor for the US Women's National Gymnastics Team, and
Olympic Team. Dr. Nassar told me that I was receiving "medically necessary
treatment that he had been performing on patients for over 30 years." It
started when I was 13 years old, at one of my first National Team training
camps, in Texas, and it didn’t end until I left the sport. It seemed whenever
and wherever this man could find the chance, I was "treated." It
happened in London before my team and I won the gold medal, and It happened
before I won my Silver. For me, the scariest night of my life happened when I
was 15 years old. I had flown all day and night with the team to get to Tokyo.
He'd given me a sleeping pill for the flight, and the next thing I know, I was
all alone with him in his hotel room getting a "treatment." I thought
I was going to die that night.
The Olympics is something
that brings people hope, and joy. It inspires people to fight for their dreams,
because anything is possible with hard work and dedication. I remember watching
the 2004 Olympics. I was 8 years old, and I told myself that one day I would
wear that red, white and blue leotard, and compete for my country. Sure, from
the outside looking in, It's an amazing story. I did it. I got there, but not
without a price.
Things have to
change...but how do we begin? I'm no expert but here are my thoughts;
One: Speaking out, and
bringing awareness to the abuse that is happening.
Two: People, Institutions,
Organizations, especially those in positions of power, etc. need to be held
accountable for their inappropriate actions and behavior.
Three: Educate, and
prevent, no matter the cost.
Four: Have zero tolerance
for abusers and those who protect them.
Is it possible to put an
end to this type of abuse? Is it possible for survivors to speak out, without
putting careers, and dreams in jeopardy? I hope so.
Our silence has given the
wrong people power for too long, and it's time to take our power back.
And remember, it's never
too late to speak up."
