Jordyn Wieber Comes Forward As Larry Nassar Victim
Jordyn Wieber Comes Forward As Larry Nassar Victim
Jordyn Wieber read a statement at Larry Nassar's sentencing hearing, adding her name to one of over 140 people who say the USAG doctor abused them.
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Jordyn Wieber read a statement at Larry Nassar's sentencing hearing, adding her name to one of over 140 people who were sexually abused by the former USA Gymnastics doctor. Wieber had previously not come forward publicly.
Jordyn Wieber, 2012 Olympic gold medalist, begins to cry, recounting how she was "brainwashed" to believe Nassar was a good guy. Abuse started at age 14. "He did it time after time, appointment after appointment...the worst part is I had no idea he was abusing me."
— Kate Wells (@KateLouiseWells) January 19, 2018
During her statement, Wieber expressed her disappointment in USA Gymnastics and the U.S. Olympic Committee not taking accountability.
"Our bodies were all hanging by a thread in London," Wieber says. "Who was the doctor that USAG sent? The doctor who was our abuser."
— Kate Wells (@KateLouiseWells) January 19, 2018
"Nobody was protecting us, nobody was even concerned if we were being sexually abused," Wieber says. "The lack of accountability from USAG, USOC and Michigan State [makes us] confused and disappointed."
— Kate Wells (@KateLouiseWells) January 19, 2018
Wieber is a Michigan native who trained at club gym Geddert's Twistars, a gym where Nassar worked.
Aly Raisman, who previously came forward publicly, accompanied Wieber in court. Raisman initially said she would not be attending the sentencing but is now expected to make a statement.
2012 "Fierce Five" teammates Aly Raisman and Jordyn Wieber embrace in a Lansing courtroom, following Wieber's first public account of sexual abuse at the hands of Larry Nassar. pic.twitter.com/mN8Suc0JZ1
— Outside The Lines (@OTLonESPN) January 19, 2018
At first, 88 victims were expected to read statements. The count is now at 117.
"Larry Nassar is accountable. US Olympic Committee is accountable...and now it's time for change, because the future gymnasts do not deserve to live in fear. Thank you," Wieber says.
— Kate Wells (@KateLouiseWells) January 19, 2018