Written by Last week the women of USA Gymnastics testified to the Senate Judiciary Committee about their stores of abuse, assault, and being ignored. One of the highest elements of government heard their stories, and made these women again relive their experience, even though they have done it so many times to just be ignored. Will this be another repeat of their history, having to relive their experience with no results or resolve?
Ali Raisman, Simone Biles, McKayla Maroney, and Maggie Nichols all testified last week. Their testimonies hit the news cycle and quickly disappeared after a few days. The senators that were in the room were concerned in the moment and some probably had intention of doing something to create change.
Unfortunately, and most likely, their testimonies may fall on deaf ears as they have so many times before. In 1997, Larry Nassar’s abuse and assaults were reported to the federal government. The Federal Bureau of Investigation was notified 24 years ago of Larry Nassar’s actions, and nothing was done then, just like his actions were reported to a university, different police agencies, and many people in USA Gymnastics and the United States Olympic Committee over the years where no action was taken and the toxic leadership and culture continued. Since 1997, at least 100 other girls were abused, molested, or assaulted by Larry Nassar while everyone just pretended it was not happening.
The only results were Larry Nassar pleading guilty to a few of his probably hundreds of heinous acts and the firing of an FBI agent last week right before the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing.
But, Raisman, Biles, Maroney, and Nichols’ testimonies did accomplish something that nobody in Senate, universities and colleges, different police agencies, USA Gymnastics, and the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee realize will happen: That these athletes will not be silenced. While these athletes’ youth was stolen from them; they learned, early on in their lives, how evil people can be; they learned that people in positions of authority will not listen unless it benefits them; they also kept sharing their story and other athletes began hearing their words. More athletes, especially girls and women, now know that it is okay to stand up and say something, defend themselves, and not have to take the abuse because they are “lucky to be there”.
This is where these women’s testimony will be remembered, not by anyone in positions of authority, but by other athletes. This is where the change will happen, by the athletes who say that they will no longer take the abuse. This is where athletes will band together and say to coaches, teams, schools, and federations that abuse, assault, and molestation will not continue. And this is how sports organizations will be forced to change, not by a top down approach in changing culture, but by the strength and voices of the athletes.