John Bender
Wednesday, Olympic gymnast Simon Biles took the stand to testify before Congress regarding the sexual abuse she and reportedly hundreds of fellow gymnasts experienced at the hands former USA Gymnastic teams doctor Larry Nasser. The hearing is part of a congressional effort to hold the FBI accountable errors in the investigation process that allowed Nassar to continue his abuse throughout the course of the investigation with at least 40 girls and woman reportedly being molested after the initial investigation had begun in 2015.
The four-time Olympic gold medalist and five-time world champion stated during the hearing, "To be clear, I blame Larry Nassar, but I also blame an entire system that enabled and perpetrated his abuse." Biles also made it clear that it was due to a gross failure by the FBI that Nasser was able to continue his pattern of abuse towards her and her fellow gymnasts long after the FBI the began the initial investigation into the reports. The abuse eventually caused Biles to withdraw herself from the finals team during the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.
Biles continued on to made a clear message to Congress stating "If you allow a predator to harm children, the consequences will be swift and severe. Enough is enough."
Biles' fellow gymnast and survivor McKayla Maroney also joined her in testifying recounting her own incident with Nassar. She recounted how during the 2012 London Olympic Games how during her time with "she was going to die that night because there was no way he was going to let me go" according to the New York Times. She continued in detail saying, "That evening I was naked, completely alone, with him on top of me, molesting me for hours."
When Maroney reported Nassar's behavior to the FBI during a three-hour phone call the agent reportedly responded with "is that all" leading Maroney to feel that she crushed and felt a total lack of empathy.
Her and Biles' statements were furthered corroborated by the an internal investigation done by the Justice Department. The report stated that the FBI made several blunders throughout the probe and did not take the reports with the "utmost seriousness" according to an article from AP News. Furthermore FBI director Christopher Wray criticized his own agents while making the commitment that he will "make damn sure everybody at the FBI remembers what happens here".
Nassar is currently serving to what amounts to life in prison for the series of molestations being the center of what is being considered one of the largest sex abuse cases in American history.
For more information Biles' full testimony before congress can found here via C-SPAN
This topic is so crucial to talk about. The Biles case is not only interesting because of how strong she is but it is also important from a protective standpoint. From a journalism perspective, topics like these are so hard to report because of trauma. I like how you included quotes to ensure credibility.
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