As described in the following USA Today article, USA Gymanstics (USAG) CEO resigned today following revelations that lots of young women were sexually abused by the team doctor. The US Olympic Committee board called for the CEO's resignation "amid criticism of his handling (?lack of handling) of child sexual abuse allegations".
“The Board believes this change in leadership will help USA Gymnastics face its current challenges and implement solutions to move the organization forward in promoting a safe environment for its athletes at all levels," said Paul Parilla, chairman of the USA Gymnastics board of directors, in a statement.
First, kudos for the Olympic Committee's action at least regarding the CEO who was on watch for this activity. Kudos also that it was the board chair, the chief volunteer, who spoke representing the Committee. To me this shows that the Committee's "owners" see the failings and have called for action.
Perhaps less kudos should be handed the board of the USAG. The USAG appeared to have few if any policies in place for the handling of such situations and equally did not appear to have in place a way to learn about what was going on - would prudence (the standard applied to how the fiduciary duty of care is applied) not have dictated otherwise? It's not that society, over the recent and distant past hasn't seen situations that would have put any volunteer board member on notice that policies and procedures should be in place to protect the interests of their constituents (in this case, athletes). So I pose that it is not singularly the CEO who should face consequences here. It is the board as well - many if not all who I believe should resign and the Olympic Committee can work to recruit a more accountable and responsible - specifically, prudent board!
Here's the Indianapolis Star take on the story.
USA Gymnastics president Steve Penny resigned Thursday, the Indianapolis-based organization announced.
The move came after the United States Olympic Committee board called for Penny to resign last week amid criticism of his handling of child sexual abuse allegations in the sport.
“The Board believes this change in leadership will help USA Gymnastics face its current challenges and implement solutions to move the organization forward in promoting a safe environment for its athletes at all levels," said Paul Parilla, chairman of the USA Gymnastics board of directors, in a statement.
Parilla will lead a national search for a new president and "guide the organization's operations and move forward the initiatives currently in progress to strengthen and refine its policies and procedures for handling sexual misconduct."
Penny, 53, has been personally responsible for handling sexual abuse complaints since becoming president in 2005, according to his sworn testimony in a Georgia lawsuit.
"We all care deeply about the safety of our athletes, which is fundamental to a rewarding experience at any level of gymnastics," Penny said in a statement released by USA Gymnastics. "It has been heartbreaking to learn of instances of abuse and it sickens me that young athletes would be exploited in such a manner.
“My decision to step aside as CEO is solely to support the best interests of USA Gymnastics at this time."
The USOC released a statement from board chairman Larry Probst: "Today's announcement will hopefully allow USA Gymnastics to shift its attention to the future with a secure environment for its athletes and continued success in competition.”
The scandal started last August after IndyStar reported that USA Gymnastics sometimes did not immediately report allegations of child sex abuse to authorities. IndyStar also reported that at least 368 gymnasts have made allegations of sexual abuse in the past 20 years.
California sexual abuse attorney John Manly, who is suing Penny and USA Gymnastics, said Penny's resignation is not the end of changes that are needed.
"The tacit culture of acceptance of child sex abuse was fostered not just by Mr Penny but many of the long term members of the Board," Manly said. "Make no mistake this resignation is the result of the brave women who publicly spoke out about their sexual assault at the hands of Dr Larry Nassar's abuse and the many other coaches who savaged children while USA Gymnastics looked the other way."
One of those women was Rachael Denhollander of Louisville, who came forward to IndyStar after the first story in its investigation. Denhollander said that years earlier she had been sexually abused by longtime USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar. After Denhollander came forward, more than 80 others contacted law enforcement about Nassar. He has denied the allegations.
"While I am grateful to see this step, I am disheartened to see that there still has not been a recognition of the deep failures that allowed so many children to be abused while participating in USAG gymnastics," Denhollander said. "Many have pointed out the serious errors in how USAG has handled the question of sexual abuse for decades, but USAG still has not taken responsibility for, or even admitted, those failures and the serious ramifications they have had."
Nassar is in jail awaiting trial on state and federal charges involving child sexual abuse and possession of child pornography. He has denied the charges.
Dominique Moceanu, a 1996 Olympic gold medalist, called Penny’s resignation a step in the right direction. Last month, Moceanu became highest profile former gymnasts to publicly call for Penny’s departure.
“There still is a lot more work that needs to be done,” she said. “This is the first step of many that need to occur.”
Moceanu said the board needs to apologize to athletes and abuse victims, many of whom have never come forward because of a culture of fear within the sport.
“This is a chance to make an honest, fresh start,” she said. “The board has never really addressed the athletes and victims. They may not have been at fault, but they supported him for so long and the athletes deserve better.”
Women's sports advocate and attorney Nancy Hogshead-Makar, a three-time gold medalist in swimming, agreed to more need to be done to make gymnastics and other sports safe.
"The power of the coach and administrators must be checked," she said. "Athletes must able to assert boundaries and say no to all sorts of abuse without fear of retaliation."
USA Gymnastics has hired former prosecutor Deborah Daniels to review its policies and make recommendations for changes. The organization has also cited the opening of the U.S. Center for SafeSport as an example of progress being made on the issue of child sexual abuse in Olympic sports.
Penny grew the organization financially, and his tenure included success in women's international competition. That success helped Penny earn $628,000 in 2015, according to the most recent public tax documents.
But pressure has grown since USA Gymnastics admitted it had waited five weeks to report Nassar to the FBI while conducting an internal investigation. Congress also is involved. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., and 15 co-sponsors introduced a bill earlier this month requiring Olympic officials to immediately report suspected abuse. USA Gymnastics and Penny are also named as defendants in multiple lawsuits related to Nassar. Penny and the organization denied responsibility and emphasized they first reported Nassar.
Also Thursday, 20 more women joined a growing federal lawsuit against defendants that include USA Gymnastics, Penny, Michigan State University and Nassar.
It's the largest group to date to start or join a civil action in connection with sexual assault allegations against the former Michigan State doctor. It brings to 78 the number of women or girls suing the school and Nassar in federal court and a California state court. Five other lawsuits name Nassar and USA Gymnastics.
The group that filed Thursday includes a former Michigan State competitive cheerleader, a former ballerina, former youth gymnasts, former college athletes and women who say in court documents that they were teenage girls or sometimes younger when Nassar sexually assaulted them during multiple medical appointments on Michigan State's campus or at Twistars gymnastics club in Dimondale.