As Simone Biles prepares for the US Gymnastics Championships, she continues to address the lingering effects of the Larry Nassar scandal, which severely impacted USA Gymnastics. Biles, among hundreds abused by Nassar, reflects on the organization’s attempts to recover from a crisis that nearly destroyed it.

The scandal revealed Nassar, a trusted team doctor, had sexually abused hundreds of female athletes under the guise of medical treatment. The resulting fallout saw USA Gymnastics face numerous lawsuits, financial instability, and a loss of trust among its athletes and the public.

The organization even filed for bankruptcy and underwent frequent leadership changes.

In early 2019, Li Li Leong stepped in as president and CEO, bringing a background in gymnastics and corporate experience. Leong, along with a new leadership team, focused on rebuilding trust through transparency and athlete welfare. This included restructuring the leadership team, improving athlete funding, and prioritizing mental health support.

Leong’s efforts to create a supportive environment included implementing an independent observer system for fairness, revamping financial support for athletes, and introducing mental health initiatives. 

Therapy dogs, a popular addition, have also contributed to reducing athlete stress.

With new leaders like Chelsea Memmel and Alicia Sacramone Quinn, the organization has shown progress. Biles’s recent support for her teammates highlights a renewed sense of camaraderie and respect within the sport.

USA Gymnastics is slowly rebuilding, but Biles’s call for continued accountability underscores the importance of maintaining these changes and addressing the organization’s dark past.

What are your thoughts on the changes within USA Gymnastics and Biles’s role in holding them accountable? Let us know in the comments below.