NEW CLAIMS

Lawsuit: USA Gymnastics Staff Enabled Physical Abuse

Ex-gymnast coordinators allegedly hid evidence.

A new lawsuit filed Thursday by a former elite gymnast claims that former U.S. national team coordinators Bela and Martha Karolyi were responsible for creating the abusive environment that facilitated a team physician’s abuse of underage gymnasts. The claim was brought against USA Gymnastics and top officials by an unnamed plaintiff who was a member of the U.S. Women’s National Gymnastics Team from 2006 to 2011 and claims to have been sexually abused by former team physician Larry Nassar. The Karolyis are accused of knowing about the sexual and physical abuses but concealing evidence to protect their business and reputations.