During the Larry Nassar abuse scandal, several gymnasts including Simone Biles and Aly Raisman stepped forward to expose the physician's misdeeds. These gymnasts became powerful voices to seek justice against Nassar.
Nassar is a former U.S. women's gymnastics team physician who provided his medical services to the team from 1996 to 2014. He was charged with sexually assaulting 265 gymnasts under the pretense of medical attention.
Simone Biles provided her testimony against Larry Nassar
After a former gymnast and lawyer, Rachael Denhollander initially accused Larry Nassar of abuse, Simone Biles testified during the hearing on September 15, 2021 at the Dirksen Senate Office Building in Washington, D.C.
Biles joined the national team in 2012. During her testimony against Nassar, she also blamed the USA Gymnastics and the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee for not having a strong stance on justice.
Further, in an interview on the podcast "Call Her Daddy" this year, she reflected on standing strong while testifying. Biles stated that she had a huge following across her social media profiles and that she has always been transparent about her actions.
"A lot of people follow me. A lot of people go on my platforms, and I’ve always been an open and honest book from the very beginning," Biles said.
Further, Biles also mentioned that she wanted to be mentally and emotionally ready to speak about her traumatic experiences.
"I wanted to be in a good enough place and to have the proper help lined up before I spoke out, because that stuff was so traumatizing. And I truly don’t understand how I did what I did under those circumstances and how I put on a face.”
Aly Raisman suffered post traumatic disorder after Larry Nassar scandal
Aly Raisman testified against the former Team USA doctor along with her 2016 women's gymnastic team member Simone Biles. After initially opting out of testifying, Raisman recognized the importance and decided to attend the hearing. She went on to present her testimony for thirteen minutes.
In a candid conversation on the podcast "Call Her Daddy," Raisman reflected on the post-traumatic stress disorder she navigated through following the scandal. The former American gymnast suffered from symptoms similar to a stroke on multiple occasions.
"I have literally stroke-like symptoms. I can't remember my name. I'm like slurring my words. I can barely speak. Both times I was tested for a stroke because I literally couldn't move my body. It was so scary. And the first time, the doctors had absolutely no idea what it was.”
Nassar was sentenced to 60 years in prison in 2017 after numerous gymnasts spoke out about the abuse.