An OU alumna and three other world and Olympic gymnasts made statements at a judiciary committee hearing on Wednesday on the misconduct of former USA gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar and the agencies enabling his actions.

Maggie Nichols, an OU alumna, along with Simone Biles, Aly Raisman and McKayla Maroney outlined the misconduct of Nassar, the FBI, USA Gymnastics, Safe Sport as well as the USA Olympics and Paralympic Committees. 

“To be clear, I blame Larry Nassar. And I also blame an entire system that enabled and perpetrated his abuse,” Biles said.

More than 150 women and girls have made statements regarding their sexual abuse by Nassar over the span of 20 years.

“This conduct by these FBI agents, including the special agent in charge who are held in high regard and expected to protect the public, is unacceptable, disgusting and shameful,” Nichols said.

All four women said they want more justice than Nassar’s imprisonment. They also want everyone involved in the mishandling of their cases to be investigated and properly prosecuted.

“The OIG [Office of Inspector General] report found that senior FBI officials lied to the inspector general, engaged in serious conflicts of interest and tried to cover up one of the biggest child sexual abuse scadals in the history of amateur sports,” Nichols said.

The gymnasts advocated for younger girls who were continuously abused by the former coach while the FBI initially said they were investigating the matter as well as all victims of sexual abuse.

“Hearing all these girls speak is really what continues to make me want to be here today and help others,” Maroney said.

The survivors encourage other survivors of sexual abuse to seek a support system and use their voice to help others and themselves heal.

Gaylord News is a reporting project of the University of Oklahoma Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication. For more stories from Gaylord News visit GaylordNews.net.