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After Sex Abuse Scandal, What Now For USA Gymnastics?

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Larry Nassar sits with attorney Matt Newburg during his sentencing hearing Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2018, in Lansing, Mich. The former sports doctor who admitted molesting some of the nation's top gymnasts for years was sentenced Wednesday to 40 to 175 years in prison as the judge declared: "I just signed your death warrant."  The sentence capped a remarkable seven-day hearing in which scores of Nassar's victims were able to confront him face to face in the Michigan courtroom.  (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Larry Nassar sits with attorney Matt Newburg during his sentencing hearing Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2018, in Lansing, Mich. The former sports doctor who admitted molesting some of the nation's top gymnasts for years was sentenced Wednesday to 40 to 175 years in prison as the judge declared: "I just signed your death warrant." The sentence capped a remarkable seven-day hearing in which scores of Nassar's victims were able to confront him face to face in the Michigan courtroom. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

The U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) has announced plans to decertify USA Gymnastics, stripping the organization of its privileged role as the sport's national governing body (NGB).

In a statement, USOC CEO Sarah Hirshland explained the organization's decision.

"You might be asking why now? The short answer is that we believe the challenges facing the organization are simply more than it is capable of overcoming in its current form," she said.

The move comes amid a sexual abuse scandal involving USA Gymnastics' team doctor, Larry Nassar, who pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting young athletes in January.

Also implicated in the scandal is former president of USA Gymnastics, Steve Penny. Penny was accused of tampering with evidence during the Nassar investigation.

Guest

Shira Springer, WBUR's sports and society reporter. She tweets @ShiraSpringer.

This segment aired on November 20, 2018.

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