Los Angeles, Jan 16 (AFP) Olympic gymnastics superstarSimone Biles revealed she was sexually abused by disgracedformer USA team doctor Larry Nassar, who was last month jailedfor 60 years on child porn charges.
In a statement posted on Twitter, Biles said she hadwrestled with her decision to go public with her story sincethe scandal broke.
"Most of you know me as a happy, giggly, and energeticgirl," the 20-year-old reigning Olympic all-around championwrote.
"But lately I've felt a bit broken and the more I try toshut off the voice in my head, the louder it screams. I am notafraid to tell my story anymore.
"I too am one of the many survivors that was sexuallyabused by Larry Nassar," the 10-time World Championshipmedallist added.
Nassar has been accused of sexually assaulting more than100 young girls including several US Olympians.
Biles's team-mates Aly Raisman, McKayla Maroney and GabbyDouglas are among the members of USA Gymnastics squads whohave said they were sexually assaulted by Nassar.
The 54-year-old was sentenced to 60 years in prison inDecember on child pornography charges.
He could be jailed for life when a further sentencinghearing gets under way in Michigan this week on separatesexual assault charges to which he has pleaded guilty.
In her statement on Twitter, Biles described her tormentas she attempted to grapple with the abuse she had suffered.
- 'Disgusting, abusive' -========================="There are many reasons that I have been reluctant toshare my story, but I now know it is not my fault," she wrote.
"It is not normal to receive any type of treatment from atrusted team physician and refer to it horrifyingly as the'special' treatment.
"This behavior is completely unacceptable, disgusting,and abusive, especially coming from someone whom I was TOLD totrust.
"For too long I've asked myself 'Was I too naive? Was itmy fault?' I now know the answer to those questions. No. No,it was not my fault. No, I will not and should not carry theguilt that belongs to Larry Nassar, USA Gymnastics and others.
"It is impossibly difficult to relive these experiencesand it breaks my heart even more to think that as I worktowards my dream of competing in Tokyo 2020, I will to have tocontinually return to the same training facility where I wasabused."Biles however insisted it would not affect her passionfor the sport.
"I love this sport too much and I have never been aquitter. I won't let one man and the others that enabled him,to steal my love and joy," she wrote, demanding an inquiryinto how Nassar had been able to continue abusing for so manyyears.
"We need to know why this was able to take place for solong and to so many of us. We need to make sure something likethis never happens again."Biles's team-mate Raisman swiftly took to Twitter insolidarity. "You are incredible Simone. I stand with you,"Raisman wrote. "I know we will all get through this together."USA Gymnastics issued a statement saying the organisationwas "absolutely heartbroken, sorry and angry that Simone Bilesor any of our athletes have been harmed by the horrific actsof Larry Nassar.""USA Gymnastics will continue to listen to our athletesand our members in our efforts of creating a culture ofempowerment with a relentless focus on athlete safety everysingle day," it added.
Nassar has been accused of molesting more than 100 femaleathletes during the three decades he worked with USAGymnastics.
His case was part of a wide-ranging scandal which forcedthe resignation of USA Gymnastics chief Steve Penny in Marchlast year.
Penny was accused by victims of failing to quickly notifyauthorities about abuse allegations.
USA Gymnastics adopted a new "safe sport policy" inresponse to the Nassar scandal that requires "mandatoryreporting" of suspicions of sexual abuse.
A civil lawsuit has been filed on behalf of about 100 ofNassar's victims. Their attorney, John Manly, has said thetotal number could be as high as 160. (AFP)ATK.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.
