Simone Biles reveals abuse by jailed US team doctor

Olympic gymnastics superstar Simone Biles revealed yesterday she was sexually abused by former team doctor Larry Nassar.

Simone Biles wins a gold medal at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. Picture: AFP

Olympic gymnastics superstar Simone Biles revealed yesterday she was sexually abused by former USA team doctor Larry Nassar, who was last month jailed for 60 years on child porn charges.

In a statement posted on Twitter, Biles said she had wrestled with her decision to go public with her story since the scandal broke.

“Most of you know me as a happy, giggly, and energetic girl,” the 20-year-old reigning Olympic all-around champion wrote.

“But lately I’ve felt a bit broken and the more I try to shut off the voice in my head the louder it screams. I am not afraid to tell my story anymore. I, too, am one of the many survivors that was sexually abused by Larry Nassar.”

Nassar has been accused of sexually assaulting more than 100 young girls including several US Olympians. Biles’s teammates Aly Raisman, McKayla Maroney and Gabby Douglas are among the members of USA Gymnastics squads who have said they were sexually assaulted by Nassar.

The 54-year-old could also be jailed for life when a sentencing hearing gets under way in Michigan this week on separate sexual assault charges to which he has pleaded guilty.

AFP