It has been a little over a year since formerTeam USA gymnastics doctor Larry Nassarwas sentenced to 175 years in prison for sexually abusing hundreds of women and girls, under the guise of being a trusted medical provider and friend.
The aftermath of his actions and the testimonies of the 156 survivors who came forward during his trial still reverberate across the gymnastics community.
HBO
The film interviews dozens of survivors, coaches, lawyers and journalists to expose the circumstances in which these gymnasts grew up, a competitive environment that many claim prioritizes winning over all else — an environment that protected the doctor against initial accusations.
Even with mounting accusations, it wasn’t until 2016, when lawyer and former gymnast Rachael Denhollander went public with her story toIndianapolis Star,that legal action against Nassar began. In 2018, his official sentencing came after a week of heartwrenching and powerful testimonies from survivors, with Judge Rosemarie Aquilina giving the sentencing statement.
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“Your crimes have cut into the core of this community and families and many we don’t know,” Aquilina said before handing down the sentence. “There was no medical treatment. You did this for your pleasure and your control. You still think that somehow you are right … I wouldn’t send my dogs to you, sir.”
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“It was my honor and privilege to sentence you,” Aquilina added later, stating that she wants him to remain in prison for the rest of his life. “I just signed your death warrant.”
In a separate case, Nassarpleaded guilty to several counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct.
At The Heart Of Gold: Inside The USA GymnasticsScandaldebuts on May 3, exclusively on HBO.
source: people.com
