After the 2020 Summer Olympics—held this past summer in 2021—certain athletes have had their names in the paper for many consecutive weeks. Among them are Olympic gymnasts Simone Biles, McKayla Maroney, and Aly Raisman.
The three athletes and former college champion Maggie Nichols testified before the Senate about Larry Nassar, the former USA Gymnastics team doctor, who has violated over 200 women. The gymnasts gave incredibly emotional testimonies about their own suffering, which they were forced to relive in front of the entire nation.
As one might predict, this abuse against the gymnasts has taken a toll on their well-being. Towards the end of the summer, Simone Biles briefly withdrew from Olympic competitions and told the world, “Physical health is mental health.” One could reasonably infer that Biles needed to take a break due to mental health issues inflicted by Nassar.
Among the most shocking news from the hearings this week was the information that allegations against Nassar were originally reported to the FBI in Indianapolis in July 2015. However, the agency did not investigate these allegations until September 2016, a whole 14 months after the claims were filed. During this ridiculous and inexplicable delay, Nassar managed to abuse at least 70 more young people.
Maggie Nichols—“Athlete A,” the first elite gymnast to report her abuse—reported that the FBI took no action while Nassar continued abusing people. Maroney said that the FBI twisted her words. “I felt pressured by the FBI to consent to Nassar’s plea deal,” added Massachusetts native Raisman.
FBI Director Christopher Wray has apologized and fired one individual (one other agent had already retired), but he has failed to explain or investigate the Bureau’s negligence. Many questions about the FBI’s delayed investigation remain unanswered.
Unfortunately, these athletes are not the only ones the FBI has failed. The agency needs to prioritize its investigations regarding women and girls in violent situations.
For example, in 2015, women in the gaming industry were being brutally attacked online in a series of cyberviolence known as Gamergate. Despite the identification of four alleged perpetrators and two confessions, no charges were ever brought.
Furthermore, the FBI only has 20% females in their special agent category. Given that women are more likely than men to believe children who report sexual abuse, the FBI’s remarkable gender imbalance is setting them up to fail to protect children.
The Nassar case is one of many that the FBI has swept aside. This behavior puts the mental and physical health of women and children at risk. The agency needs to investigate crimes against women and take threats reported by women and girls seriously. They should start by examining their own bias, gender imbalance, and history of delayed investigations.
The three athletes and former college champion Maggie Nichols testified before the Senate about Larry Nassar, the former USA Gymnastics team doctor, who has violated over 200 women. The gymnasts gave incredibly emotional testimonies about their own suffering, which they were forced to relive in front of the entire nation.
As one might predict, this abuse against the gymnasts has taken a toll on their well-being. Towards the end of the summer, Simone Biles briefly withdrew from Olympic competitions and told the world, “Physical health is mental health.” One could reasonably infer that Biles needed to take a break due to mental health issues inflicted by Nassar.
Among the most shocking news from the hearings this week was the information that allegations against Nassar were originally reported to the FBI in Indianapolis in July 2015. However, the agency did not investigate these allegations until September 2016, a whole 14 months after the claims were filed. During this ridiculous and inexplicable delay, Nassar managed to abuse at least 70 more young people.
Maggie Nichols—“Athlete A,” the first elite gymnast to report her abuse—reported that the FBI took no action while Nassar continued abusing people. Maroney said that the FBI twisted her words. “I felt pressured by the FBI to consent to Nassar’s plea deal,” added Massachusetts native Raisman.
FBI Director Christopher Wray has apologized and fired one individual (one other agent had already retired), but he has failed to explain or investigate the Bureau’s negligence. Many questions about the FBI’s delayed investigation remain unanswered.
Unfortunately, these athletes are not the only ones the FBI has failed. The agency needs to prioritize its investigations regarding women and girls in violent situations.
For example, in 2015, women in the gaming industry were being brutally attacked online in a series of cyberviolence known as Gamergate. Despite the identification of four alleged perpetrators and two confessions, no charges were ever brought.
Furthermore, the FBI only has 20% females in their special agent category. Given that women are more likely than men to believe children who report sexual abuse, the FBI’s remarkable gender imbalance is setting them up to fail to protect children.
The Nassar case is one of many that the FBI has swept aside. This behavior puts the mental and physical health of women and children at risk. The agency needs to investigate crimes against women and take threats reported by women and girls seriously. They should start by examining their own bias, gender imbalance, and history of delayed investigations.