Following Larry Nasser Netflix Doc, Gymnasts Around The World Share Abuse Stories, Sparking Multiple Investigations

The June release of Netflix documentary Athlete A, which is based on the newspaper investigation into the abuse of American athletes that led to Nassar’s conviction, has been the catalyst for new concerns about the abuse of female gymnasts. 

Former Gymnastics Australia athletes shared their experiences on social media, portraying a “toxic” culture of body shaming, verbal abuse and being pressured to train or compete while injured. 

Gymnastics Australia said Thursday that The Australian Human Rights Commission will investigate the allegations, interviewing athletes and reviewing policies in order to prepare a report by 2021, but it will also implement some initiatives in the meantime.  

The news comes a day after the Dutch gymnastics federation suspended its women’s elite training program and its coaches, effective immediately, while it investigates physical and mental abuse allegations raised by former athletes who spoke out after watching Athlete A; some current team members defended the program saying there is a “healthy top sport climate.” 

The British Gymnastics organization announced in early July that it launched an independent review after nearly a dozen gymnasts shared allegations of emotional abuse and bullying, and former four-time Olympic medallist Louis Smith accused the organization of not coming forward publicly with complaints against coaches because it would tarnish their image.

In March, U.S. Olympians Simone Biles and Aly Raisman criticized a proposed $215-million settlement for people abused by Nassar that, if agreed upon, would keep them from filing future claims against the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee, former USA Gymnastics CEO Steve Penny and former national team coaches Bela and Martha Karolyi.