USA Gymnastics may no longer be recognized as a governing body pending the proceedings put in motion by the United States Olympic Committee.
This comes as a response to the numerous scandals that have been brought to light about USAG. Including the reprehensible accounts of covering for the seal abuse of disgraced team doctor Larry Nassar.
Sarah Hirshland, who is CEO of USOC made a statement that explained why the committee was pursuing the current course.
“This is a situation in which there are no perfect solutions,” she said. “Seeking to revoke recognition is not a conclusion that we have come to easily.”
She also addressed the athletes saying that “everyone now faces the reality of belonging to a national organization that continues to struggle to change its culture, to rebuild its leadership and to effectively serve its membership.”
“You deserve better.”
Hirshland also clarified that while the USAG has been given the opportunity to voluntarily step down as a governing body, if they do not it isn’t guaranteed they will be forced to. There would be a hearing and it would come to a vote.
After receiving USOC’s letter, USAG’s board of directors made the following statement, “USA Gymnastics is carefully reviewing the contents of this letter and is evaluating the best path forward for our athletes, professional members, the organization and staff.”
It bid to defend itself, the organization added, “USA Gymnastics’ board was seated in June 2018 and inherited an organization in crisis with significant challenges that were years in the making. In the four months since, the Board has done everything it could to move this organization towards a better future.”
