Nassar Sentencing is Over, USA Gymnastics Overhaul Just Beginning

(ATR) Larry Nassar is sentenced to up to 175 years in prison for his sexual abuse against 168 known victims, many of them gymnasts, some of them Olympic medalists.

Nasser, former team doctor for USA Gymnastics, pleaded guilty in October to 10 counts of sexual abuse.

As a condition of his plea, victims of Nassar’s predation were given the chance to deliver statements in a Michigan courtroom during the past week. 156 did so, a brutal recounting of three decades of assaults against young women.

Before being sentenced, Nassar was given the chance to speak. He apologized and acknowledged the dozens of young women who had spoken out against him, saying "Your words these past several days have had a significant effect on myself and have shaken me to my core. I will carry your words with me for the rest of my days."

Nassar was a sports physician for Michigan State University and began working with USA Gymnastics in 1996. Instances of the abuse date from 1994 to 2015.

Nassar, 54, is already serving 40 years for possession of child pornography.

United States Olympic Committee CEO Scott Blackmun issued an open letter to Team USA athletes regarding the Nassar case on Wednesday, apologizing for the fact the USOC was not in the courtroom to hear the statements of the victims, survivors and parents.

"We are sorry for the pain caused by this terrible man, and sorry that you weren’t afforded a safe opportunity to pursue your sports dreams," Blackmun said in the statement. "The Olympic family is among those that have failed you.

"I know this apology is not enough. We have been working on taking steps at the USOC and mandating changes among National Governing Bodies to ensure this does not happen again."

Blackmun says the actions the USOC will be taking include the forced resignation of all current USA Gymnastics directors and a mandated revamp of the governance structure of USAG.

The USOC also will launch an investigation by an independent third party to learn "how an abuse of this proportion could have gone undetected for so long".

Finally, Blackmun says the USOC will be devoting "substantial funds" to provide testing, treatment and counseling to victims and survivors.

The new president of USA Gymnastics, Kerry Perry, also issued a statement following Nassar’s sentencing.

"I am profoundly saddened that a single woman, a single girl, a single athlete was hurt. USA Gymnastics applauds Judge Rosemarie Aquilina for handing Nassar the maximum sentence of up to 175 years, in an effort to bring justice to those he abused and punish him for his horrific behavior.

"The powerful voices and strength of these survivors have left a lasting impression on all of us. Every day, their stories will impact my decisions as president and CEO.

"As stated on my first day on Dec. 1, 2017, I will not waiver on my commitment to focus each and every day on our organization’s highest priority – the safety, health and well-being of our athletes. We will create a culture that empowers and supports them. Our commitment is uncompromising, and it is my hope that everything we do going forward makes this very clear."

The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG), which has not commented on the case at any point, did not issue a statement on its website.

Written and Reported by Ed Hula and Gerard Farek.