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GYMNASTICS-USA-ABUSE-RESIGN
USA Gymnastics chief to resign over coach furore – reports
LOS ANGELES, Sept 4, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – USA Gymnastics chief executive
Kerry Perry has been forced to step down after just nine months in charge
following the latest controversy to hit the scandal-plagued organisation, US
media reports said Tuesday.
The Orange County Register and USA Today cited two people with knowledge
of the situation late Monday as saying that Perry’s resignation would be
confirmed on Tuesday.
Perry’s reported departure comes after a tumultuous week at USA Gymnastics
which saw senior coach Mary Lee Tracy ousted three days after her
appointment.
USA Gymnastics called for Tracy to quit after an outcry by victims of
jailed former team doctor Larry Nassar.
Victims of Nassar, who was jailed for life earlier this year for abusing
more than 250 athletes — including several stars of the USA’s all-conquering
Olympic team — had lambasted the decision to hire Tracy.
Tracy angered victims by comments in 2016 in which she described Nassar as
“amazing” even though dozens of athletes had come forward to accuse him of
abuse.
The fiasco of Tracy’s appointment to a senior coaching role and departure
within a few days angered the United States Olympic Committee, which on
Friday warned that changes to leadership of USA Gymnastics were inevitable.
“I’m afraid I can offer nothing but disappointment,” USOC chief executive
Hirshland said.
“Under the circumstances we feel that (USA Gymnastics) is struggling to
manage its obligations effectively and it is time to consider making
adjustments in the leadership.
“We are engaging with the USAG board to offer our perspective, and also our
assistance, as they manage the situation.”
USA Gymnastics had presided over an unprecedented period of Olympic
dominance in women’s gymnastics since 2012 but failed to detect Nassar’s
crimes in what became the biggest scandal in US Olympic history.
The scandal had already led to the departure of former USAG chief
executive Steve Penny in March 2017.
US Olympic chiefs then demanded the entire board of directors be replaced
in January while launching an independent investigation into the affair.
BSS/AFP/BZC/1255HRS