US Olympic Committee moves to revoke USA Gymnastics’ status as a national governing body

The U.S. Olympic Committee says it’s seeking to revoke USA Gymnastics’ recognition as a national governing body after multiple sexual assault scandals have plagued the organization.

USOC CEO Sarah Hirshland issued the following statement Monday:

“Today the United States Olympic Committee has filed a complaint initiating a Section 8 proceeding against USA Gymnastics, seeking to revoke USAG’s recognition as a member National Governing Body of the USOC. This is a situation in which there are no perfect solutions. Seeking to revoke recognition is not a conclusion that we have come to easily. In the short-term, we have to work to ensure that USAG gymnasts have the support necessary to excel on and off the field of play. We are building plans to do just that. In the long-term, it will be the critically important responsibility of the recognized Gymnastics NGB, whether the existing organization or a new one, to lead gymnastics in the United States and build on the supportive community of athletes and clubs that can carry the sport forward for decades to come. We are prepared to identify and help build such an organization.”

Hirshland also wrote an open letter to the gymnastics community saying “You deserve better.”

She said some have faced “unimaginably terrible situations” and that everyone is facing the reality of “belonging to a national organization that continues to struggle to change its culture.”

Hirshland says gymnastics training and competitions will continue as usual while the process is ongoing, but she didn’t have an exact answer about what the future held.

Now that the complaint has been filed, a review panel will form and a hearing will be held before the panel issues a report and recommendation. At that point, the USOC will vote to continue to recognize USA Gymnastics or to revoke the status.

No timeline has been estimated for the review process. USA Gymnastics is headquartered in Indianapolis.