Advertisement

Former Larry Nassar defender forced to resign from USA Gymnastics position

Mary Lee Tracy says she trusted Larry Nassar like she would her father or her brother, but she was fooled by a ”master manipulator.”
Mary Lee Tracy says she trusted Larry Nassar like she would her father or her brother, but she was fooled by a ”master manipulator.”

The USA gymnastics turmoil continues.

Two days ago Olympic gold medalist Aly Raisman criticized USAG for hiring Larry Nassar defender Mary Lee Tracy as elite development coordinator for its women’s program.

Now USA gymnastics has asked Tracy to resign for “inappropriately contacting a survivor (Raisman)”.

Tracy had stated in a 2016 interview with WCPO in Cincinnati that she was defending Nassar despite more than 50 women stating they had been abused because her four Olympians had all worked with the now-disgraced doctor.

“We were all defending him because he has helped so many kids in their careers. He has protected them, taken care of them, worked with me and worked with their parents. He’s been amazing.”

Raisman blasted the new hire on Wednesday, saying that it was a “slap in the face for survivors.”

In a Facebook post on Friday, Tracy said that she tried to contact Raisman to apologize and to “learn from all of the mistakes of the past”, but did not know that such contact was barred.

Tracy goes on to say that USA Gymnastics president and CEO Kerry Perry offered her two options: to resign or be removed. But Tracy said that she notified USA gymnastics that she would not resign.

Raisman wasn’t the only gymnast and Larry Nassar survivor to criticize Tracy’s hiring. Rachel Denhollander, the first to speak out against the doctor, was critical of both the initial hiring of Tracy as well as USA gymnastics’ subsequent handling days later.

Tracy stated that USA Gymnastics president and CEO Kerry Perry offered her two options: to resign or be removed. But she said that she notified USA gymnastics that she would not resign and would instead seek counsel on how to proceed.

New U.S. Olympic Committee CEO slams USA Gymnastics

Just 11 days into her tenure as the new CEO of the United States Olympic Committee, Sarah Hirshland isn’t wasting any time.

Hirshland slammed USA Gymnastics on Friday night in an email to USA Today, and said she thinks that “it is time to consider making adjustments in the leadership.”

“We’ve been following their activity and as we close the day I’m afraid I can offer nothing but disappointment,” Hirshland told USA Today. “Under the circumstances we feel that the organization 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. We expect some additional discussions will occur this weekend.”

Hirshland was hired last month, replacing former CEO Scott Blackmun — who resigned earlier this year amid the fallout from the Nassar scandal. Blackmun said he resigned due to health issues related to prostate cancer.

Previously, Hirshland worked as the chief commercial officer for the U.S. Golf Association.

More from Yahoo Sports:
32 breakout star candidates for 2018 NFL season
Terez Paylor: Caylin Newton, the younger brother of Cam, already has a legacy as king of underdogs
Yankees get another big bat in deal for Andrew McCutchen
Usain Bolt makes his soccer debut