USA Gymnastics won’t fine McKayla Maroney if she speaks publicly about the alleged abuse at the hands of Larry Nassar.
The embattled organization, accused of enabling the disgraced doctor’s predatory behavior, faced an onslaught of backlash from gymnasts and celebrities alike, including Chrissy Teigen and Kristen Bell, who vowed to pay Maroney’s $100,000 fine should she break a nondisclosure agreement that was signed as a result of a 2016 settlement.
“USA Gymnastics has not sought and will not seek any money from McKayla Maroney for her brave statements made in describing her victimization and abuse by Larry Nassar, nor for any victim impact statements she wants to make to Larry Nassar at this hearing or at any subsequent hearings related to his sentencing,” the organization said in a statement on its website on Tuesday. “This has been her right and USA Gymnastics encourages McKayla and anyone who has been abused to speak out. USA Gymnastics remains focused on our highest priority — the safety, health and well-being of our athletes and creating a culture that empowers and supports them.”
Ahead of Nassar’s sentencing hearing Tuesday, Teigen, 32, tweeted, “The entire principle of this should be fought – an NDA to stay quiet about this serial monster with over 140 accusers, but I would be absolutely honored to pay this fine for you, McKayla.”
Maroney, 22, like fellow gymnasts Aly Raisman and Simone Biles, is one of the 140 women accusing Nassar. The former Olympian, who competed as a member of the “Fab Five” during the Summer Games in London in 2012, filed a lawsuit against USA Gymnastics in December. Her attorney responded with a statement Wednesday morning, alleging the gymnastics giant “continues to make misrepresentations” about his client.
“USA Gymnastics finally acknowledges that the gag order they forced on Ms. Maroney and her attorney was unenforceable,” attorney John Manly said in a statement, obtained by The Post. “They say McKayla has ‘always had the right to speak.’ Not true. Under the agreement’s terms she could not speak in court unless subpoenaed. She could not even have her statement read without fear of a lawsuit against her by USAG. A victim impact statement is a voluntary act. It’s not a subpoena.”
Manly also suggests the only reason USA Gymnastics addressed Maroney’s predicament was to appease the public.
“Let’s be clear. The only reason this statement was issued is because people were outraged at USAG’s behavior toward Ms. Maroney and her family,” the statement continued. “So outraged that people were kindly offering to pay the six figure USAG penalty so McKayla could speak. Everyday Americans get that no one should be silenced about child molestation. This is especially true when the abused is a young athlete who competed in the Olympic Games for our Country and brought honor and dignity to our nation.
“It is truly sad that USA Gymnastics and the USOC [United States Olympic Committee] didn’t and don’t get it. They have no choice to relent because the cleansing sunlight of truth is shining upon them and they can no longer hide their misdeeds.”
Raisman also alleged USA Gymnastics saw her and fellow competitors as nothing more than cash cows.
“Their biggest priority from the beginning — and still today — is their reputation, the medals they win and the money they make off of us,” Raisman said Tuesday during an appearance on ESPN’s “Outside the Lines.”
Raisman said Monday she will not testify against Nassar in court on Tuesday. The outspoken Olympian wishes the organization she trusted did more to protect its athletes.
“If they cared, then the second they realized I was abused, they would have reached out, asked if I needed therapy, asked if I was OK, asked what they could have done, and they would have made a big change,” Raisman said.