The US Olympic Committee is seeking to remove USA Gymnastics as the sport’s national governing body in the wake of the Larry Nassar scandal.
Nassar was sentenced to up 175 years in prison after being accused of abusing 160 women.
In an open letter to “gymnasts and the gymnastics community in the United States”, USOC chief executive Sarah Hirshland said: “We believe the challenges facing the organisation are simply more than they are capable of overcoming in their current form. Seeking to revoke recognition is not a decision that we have come to easily but I believe it is the right action.
“I hoped there was a different way forward, but we now believe that is no longer possible.”
The first athlete to come forward, Rachael Denhollander, welcomed the decision by the USOC, calling for “a complete regime change to start right now”. She added: “After overseeing the abuse of hundreds of children by Larry, national coaches and club coaches, it is high time for this organisation to end and a new one, truly dedicated to athlete safety, to begin.”
