Simone Biles Says Larry Nassar Sexually Abused Her

Simone Biles Says Larry Nassar Sexually Abused Her

"For too long I've asked myself, 'Was I too naive? Was it my fault?' I now know the answer to those questions. No. No, it was not my fault."

Jan 15, 2018 by Jennifer Zahn
Simone Biles Says Larry Nassar Sexually Abused Her

Today, Simone Biles came forward as another one of former USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar's victims.

"I too am one of the many survivors that was sexually abused by Larry Nassar," Biles wrote in a statement released via Twitter. "Please believe me when I say it was a lot harder to first speak those words out loud than it is now to put them on paper. There are many reasons that I have been reluctant to share my story, but I know now it is not my fault." 

You can read Biles' full statement here:



In her statement, the 20-year-old reigning Olympic all-around, vault, and floor champion wrote that she struggled with persistent guilt in regards to the abuse.

"For too long I've asked myself, 'Was I too naive? Was it my fault?' I now know the answer to those questions. No. No, it was not my fault. No, I will not and should not carry the guilt that belongs to Larry Nassar, USAG, and others."

Biles' story adds to the accounts of the 140 women — including USA Gymnastics standouts Aly Raisman, McKayla Maroney, and Gabby Douglas — who have launched allegations of abuse against Nassar during his time with Michigan State and USA Gymnastics.

Last week, former U.S. national team member, world champion, and NCAA champion Maggie Nichols also came forward as one of Nassar's victims.

Nassar, who pleaded guilty to seven counts of first-degree sexual assault this past November in a Michigan court, as well as to the child pornography charges he received in December of 2016, is expected to spend the rest of his life in prison.