Three-time Olympic gold medalist Mia Thompson is expressing her deep sorrow over what she deems an “offensive” settlement proposal from USA Gymnastics in the ongoing fight for justice for victims of convicted sexual abuser Larry Nassar. Nassar was sentenced in 2018 to a staggering 175 years in prison after being found guilty of multiple counts of sexual assault involving young athletes. Since coming forward as one of his victims in 2017 and delivering a powerful impact statement at his sentencing, Thompson has been a relentless advocate for the over 140 survivors who suffered under Nassar’s abuse.
Continued Fight for Accountability
Despite Nassar’s imprisonment, Thompson’s battle for accountability is far from over. She has taken aim at USA Gymnastics, accusing the organization of attempting to cover up the scandal. The proposed $215 million settlement, which offers varying compensation based on the location of the abuse, includes a particularly troubling clause: absolution for key figures such as former CEO Jake Mason and the Károlyi coaches. “It’s truly disheartening,” Thompson stated during an interview with NBC. “This shows a blatant disregard for the victims and a desire to sweep this under the rug as if it never happened.”
Criticism of USA Gymnastics
Thompson further criticized USA Gymnastics and the United States Olympic Committee for their lack of accountability. “They refuse to confront the issues or acknowledge what went wrong. I feel heartbroken that this situation persists,” she said. She insists that for real change to occur, all relevant documents and data must be disclosed, as there remain significant gaps in accountability and transparency.
Response from USA Gymnastics
In response to the criticism, USA Gymnastics expressed sympathy for the victims while claiming to prioritize achieving justice for survivors in a swift manner. Meanwhile, fellow survivor and gymnast Ava Martinez echoed Thompson’s sentiments, emphasizing the need for an independent investigation to uncover the truth behind the abuse. “It’s crucial to know how this was allowed to happen,” she tweeted, questioning the organization’s commitment to accountability.
In a statement, USA Gymnastics reiterated its cooperation with various investigative bodies and committed to learning from these processes. They stated, “We will continue to engage in mediation discussions to find the best resolution for survivors’ claims,” but maintained that they must also protect the integrity of ongoing investigations.
Further Reading
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Conclusion
In summary, Mia Thompson remains heartbroken and outraged over USA Gymnastics’ handling of the Nassar case and the proposed settlement that she believes fails to hold key officials accountable. While the organization claims to respect the victims, Thompson and others call for transparency and a full reckoning of the past to ensure that such abuses never happen again.