February 24, 2017
USA Gymnastics response to Indianapolis Star
Please attribute to USA Gymnastics unless otherwise so noted.
Dominique Moceanu and some other former gymnasts have told us USA Gymnastics
needs a change of leadership. They are calling for the resignation or firing of Steve
Penny and Paul Parilla.
They say Steve Penny has for years failed to take seriously athlete concerns about
abuses in the sport – alleging he has put the organization’s reputation and financial
interests ahead of the well-being of athletes. They also say there is a culture that
makes many athletes and other officials afraid to speak out about problems.
Please attribute to Jay Binder, vice chair/secretary, and Bitsy Kelley, treasurer, USA
Gymnastics Board of Directors
For the many people who work within the organization, the safety and well-being of our
athletes is the highest priority of USA Gymnastics. USA Gymnastics has been proactive in
forging a strong pathway to a safe sport, and more work has been done on this topic in the
last 10 years than ever before, especially through the leadership of Paul Parilla and Steve
Penny. We are all working to remove those who violate the privilege of working with young
people, and with the help of everyone involved, we can keep our sport safe. We recognize
the challenges that currently confront USA Gymnastics, and we are confident that they are
being addressed head-on.
Dominique Moceanu also said she believes USA Gymnastics leadership has not been
as aggressive as it could have been in rooting out abuse because they’ve put the
organization’s public face and financial interests ahead of the well-being of athletes.
We take strong exception to that characterization. USA Gymnastics is committed to doing
everything we can to promote a safe environment for athletes. The organization and its
policies and procedures have grown and evolved, and our focus is to help our athletes
succeed and achieve their goals in a safe environment.
Why did USA Gymnastics feel it necessary to conduct its own investigation into
allegations against Dr. Nassar rather than immediately notify authorities?
Why did you initially tell IndyStar and others that the organization “immediately”
reported Nassar after learning of athlete concerns?
The information gleaned in the interviews provided the information needed to go to law
enforcement, and USA Gymnastics contacted the FBI the next business day after it received
that report.
For clarification, the first date the athlete and her mother were available to speak in-person
with the female investigator, who is experienced in handling sexual misconduct issues, was
July 11. After that interview, the investigator recommended speaking with additional
athletes, which took place during the next two weeks.

 When the investigator completed the recommended interviews on Friday, July 24, she
reported to USA Gymnastics that it was appropriate for USA Gymnastics to notify law
enforcement and report Dr. Nassar. USA Gymnastics contacted the Indianapolis office of the
FBI on Monday, July 27, to report Dr. Nassar, and a meeting with the FBI was scheduled for
July 28. Steve Penny, then USA Gymnastics Board Vice Chair Paul Parilla, and USA
Gymnastics legal counsel met with two agents on Tuesday, July 28, at the Indianapolis FBI
office.
USA Gymnastics reported Dr. Nassar to the FBI because of its interstate jurisdiction. The FBI
confirmed that it was the appropriate agency to report this to and assured the organization
that it had handled the matter correctly.
People have been critical of the USA Gymnastics letter to members and social media
campaign launched before the 60 Minutes segment on Sunday. They also say Paul
Parilla’s video statement and the social media post regarding Tasha Schwikert seemed
to diminish the suffering and pain experienced by Nassar’s victims.
USA Gymnastics focused its message on this very important subject to the gymnastics
community. In no way, shape or form was it meant to diminish the feelings of the athletes
featured on the broadcast. The first words in Chairman Parilla’s message summarize his and
USA Gymnastics’ priority: “We care deeply for all of our athletes. They are the heart and soul
of the sport, and their health and well-being comes before all else. We work every day to
help young people fulfill their goals and dreams in a safe environment. We believe one
instance of child abuse – whether at a school, church or gym – is one too many and we are
deeply saddened when any child has been harmed.”
Tasha Schwikert spoke to “60 Minutes” in the course of its reporting for the segment. She
shared her own, personal experiences from her time at the Ranch and as a member of the
national team. She provided a statement to “60 Minutes,” and she also gave one to USA
Gymnastics, with permission to share it. Her comments were not intended to negate anyone
else’s experiences.