Biles: FBI turned ‘blind eye’ to reports of gymnasts’ abuse

Simone Biles, an Olympic gold medalist, said in front of Congress on Wednesday that federal law enforcement and gymnastics officials turned a “blind eye” to doctor Larry Nassar’s sexual abuse of her and hundreds of other women.

“Enough is enough,” Biles told the Senate Judiciary Committee, as she and three other American gymnasts spoke up about the long-term impact Nassar’s actions had had on their lives. FBI Director Christopher Wray responded by apologizing “deeply and profoundly” for the delays in Nassar’s prosecution and the grief it caused.

“I can imagine no location where I would be less comfortable right now than sitting here in front of you,” the four-time Olympic gold medalist and five-time world champion, widely regarded as the best gymnast of all time, remarked. She declared herself a sexual abuse survivor.

Through sobs, Biles added, “I blame Larry Nassar and I blame an entire system that tolerated and perpetrated his assault.” She also claimed that USA Gymnastics and the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee “knew that I was mistreated by their official team doctor long before I was ever made aware of their knowledge,” in addition to FBI failures.

A message must be communicated, according to Biles: “If you allow a predator to abuse children, the penalties will be immediate and severe.” “I’ve had enough.”

The hearing is part of a congressional effort to hold the FBI accountable for a series of errors in the investigation, including delays that allowed Nassar to abuse other young gymnasts. After the FBI was made aware of claims against Nassar in 2015, at least 40 girls and women reported they were abused.