Thank You, Aly Raisman

Thank You, Aly Raisman

Thank you, Aly Raisman, for passionately speaking out about how USA Gymnastics and the USOC have handled the sex abuse scandal that has plagued the lives of so many innocent athletes.

Aug 23, 2017 by Rebecca Johnson
Thank You, Aly Raisman
Thank you, Aly Raisman, for passionately speaking out about how USA Gymnastics and the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) have handled the sex abuse scandal that has negatively impacted the lives of so many innocent athletes.

Despite attempts to address the problem, abuse still lingers. Wrongdoing this monumental is not only about the future of the sport, but demanding justice, truth, and honesty -- for the past, present, and future. This is about past teammates, current friends, and innocent children who have experienced indescribable pain. This is about calling for justice for parents and their daughters.

Aly, you are bold and honest, well-informed and rightfully enraged.

It can't just be about we're making sure the athletes feel safe now. It has to be going back and apologizing and going to these families and going to all these gymnasts and saying, 'What made you feel unsafe? What can we do for the next generation?' -- Aly Raisman
You've invested more than 20 years of your life into gymnastics, and now you're asking it to be better. Your teammates have become your family, and your sisters have been hurt in so many ways. It's not OK, and you're not afraid to say it.

Thank you for using your wide and powerful platform to discuss an issue of the utmost importance.

It's brave of you to speak out, but it shouldn't have to be seen as "brave." There should be no politics here, and there should be no restraint in demanding safe and proper treatment of every athlete that steps foot into any gym, anywhere.

You said it was the right thing to do to talk about this, and you're right. Let's attack it head-on and continue to call for change. Let's demand it.

The legacy you're creating goes beyond your gold medals, your induction to the hall of fame, your endless successes as a gymnast -- you're speaking with courage. In a world that often silences injustice, you're a voice for the voiceless.

On behalf of the gymnastics community, thank you.