Sports

Olympic Gold Medalist Was ‘Caught Off Guard’ By The Larry Nassar Crimes

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Olympic gold medalist Nastia Liukin is making it clear that she’s in full support of her fellow gymnasts who spoke out against disgraced American Team doctor Larry Nassar despite her initial comments on the matter.

In a blog post published on her website Monday, Liukin apologized for her initial reaction to the shocking news about the team doctor, pledged her support for his victims and promised to help “create positive change and a brighter future” in the sport.

REUTERS/Mike Blake

“I continue to be in awe of my teammates and other women and the bravery it took for them to come forward with their own stories of Larry Nassar’s abuse,” Liukin wrote. “They all inspire me with their courage. To compete on the biggest stage of our lives, while knowing the man on the floor with us was a monster, takes incredible fortitude and strength. His actions and assaults against my teammates, friends and other women are appalling and disgusting and I am so sorry they had to go through it alone.”

Liukin, who led the United States gymnastics team at the 2008 Olympics, then wrote that she was “completely shocked” when she first heard about Nassar’s “disgusting crimes.” One of the first times she was asked about it was in an interview on national television, which she now realizes may have led some to believe she wasn’t in full support of her teammates.

“I couldn’t believe the man I trusted and had even publicly thanked for helping to heal my injuries was a monster to so many people I care so much about,” she explained. “I stumbled through my words because I couldn’t even begin to process my thoughts, let alone my words, about his abhorrent and criminal actions.”

REUTERS/Mike Blake

In the same blog post titled “To The Gymnastics Community,” Liukin also said that she plans to donate the proceeds from this year’s Nastia Liukin Cup to an organization that supports victims of sexual abuse. She also pointed out that her father, who’s now the Women’s National Team Coach, is planning to change the culture and environment to make it safer for the young girls who have been chosen to represent our country.

More than 80 women testified against Nassar in court over the past week. The former USA Gymnastics doctor has already been sentenced to 60 years in prison for child pornography crimes and faces a minimum sentence of 25 to 40 years for his molestation case.

REUTERS/Mike Blake

“To all the women who have come forward: you are my role models, my heroes, and I will forever respect you and be inspired by your bravery and commitment to making our world a better and safer place,” Liukin concluded.