USA Gymnastics Executive Resigns Over Nassar Conviction
INDIANAPOLIS, IN — The chief operating officer of Indianapolis-based USA Gymnastics has resigned following a wave of pressure over the Larry Nassar sex abuse conviction, according to an IndyStar report. Ron Galimore, the organization’s second-in-command, helped cover up Nassar’s abuse, emails obtained by IndyStar suggest.
The May report by IndyStar says the emails show Galimore was involved in a plan to lie about Nassar’s reasoning for not attending a 2015 gymnastics tournament.
Nassar didn’t attend the tournament because of the investigation into his sexual assaults but, as emails obtained by IndyStar suggest, Galimore was asked to lie on Nassar’s behalf, saying he couldn’t attend because he was sick. Indianapolis attorney Scott Himsel said it was in “everyone’s best interest” Nassar didn’t attend.
“We suggested during the call that Ron Galimore advise the medical team that you are not attending the Classic for personal reasons,” Himsel wrote in the email chain obtained by IndyStar. “Ron will now proceed to do so.”
“Can we just say that i am sick?” Nassar replied, the report says. “That would make more sense to everyone. Would that be ok?”
“We’ll let Ron know to advise people that you weren’t feeling well and decided to stay home,” Himsel replied.
See the IndyStar report for more details.
USA Gymnastics is fighting to keep its role as the governing body of gymnastics as the U.S. Olympic Committee works to revoke that role over Nassar’s conviction.
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Photo credit: Elise Amendola/AP File