Who is Larry Nassar? How Nassar was Able to Abuse Female Athletes for 2-Decades and His Eventual Conviction

Larry Nassar was once a well-respected physician in gymnastics, trusted by elite athletes for his medical expertise. But his legacy has since been forever tarnished by horrific revelations. Nassar, who served as the team doctor for USA Gymnastics for over two decades, was convicted of sexually abusing hundreds of young women and girls under the guise of medical treatment. His crimes have sparked widespread outrage, led to criminal convictions, and exposed systemic failures within powerful institutions meant to protect vulnerable athletes. But how did a man trusted by so many become one of the most infamous figures in the world of sports?

How did Larry Nassar’s career in gymnastics begin?

Nassar’s journey in the world of gymnastics began in 1978 when he started working with athletes as a student athletic trainer at North Farmington High School in suburban Detroit. His early involvement in the sport earned him recognition, and by 1985, he had graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in kinesiology. He quickly established himself in the world of competitive gymnastics, joining USA Gymnastics’ national team medical staff in 1986. Nassar’s rise in the gymnastics world was meteoric, and he quickly became a trusted figure in the sport, attending multiple Olympic Games and treating some of the most accomplished gymnasts of his time.

But while Nassar’s professional life appeared to be flourishing, a darker story was unfolding behind the scenes. As he worked his way up the ranks, allegations of sexual abuse slowly began to surface, but they were consistently ignored by the institutions that should have been held accountable.

When did the first allegations against Larry Nassar arise?

Rachael Denhollander speaks as former Michigan State University and USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar listens to impact statements during the sentencing phase in Ingham County Circuit Court on January 24, 2018 in Lansing, Michigan.
Source: Getty Images

The first documented case of Nassar’s abuse surfaced in 1994 when a gymnast, later revealed to be an Olympic medalist, accused him of sexually abusing her during medical treatments. The abuse allegedly continued for several years, yet the complaints were not taken seriously, allowing Nassar to continue his position as a physician. By the early 2000s, several athletes—including Rachael Denhollander—came forward to accuse Nassar of abusing them during medical treatments. Yet it wasn’t until 2016 that these claims would garner national attention.

In August 2016, the Indianapolis Star published a shocking investigation into the decades-long sexual abuse carried out by Nassar. The investigation exposed the systemic failure by USA Gymnastics, Michigan State University, and the FBI to act on credible allegations against Nassar. This revelation was a turning point that led to the widespread public awareness of Nassar’s actions.

When did the abuse begin, and how was it hidden?

Nassar’s abuse of young gymnasts allegedly began in the early 1990s. His victims included some of the most successful athletes in the sport, yet his actions were largely concealed for years. A gymnast who later went on to become an Olympic medalist reported that Nassar began sexually abusing her in 1994. For many victims, the abuse lasted for years, often hidden behind the veil of medical treatments. His position of power, combined with the culture of silence within the gymnastics world, allowed him to continue his crimes for decades. Despite several reports of abuse from victims as early as the late 1990s, Nassar’s actions were either dismissed or ignored by the institutions that should have been protecting these young athletes.

Why did it take so long for Larry Nassar to be caught?

Former Michigan State University and USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar in Charlotte, Michigan, in 2018.
Source: Scott Olson/Getty Images

It took more than 20 years for Larry Nassar to be brought to justice, and this long delay is due to a complex mix of systemic failures, disbelief, and fear. The abuse was often dismissed by those in power, from coaches to administrators, who failed to act on the warnings from concerned athletes and their families. When the first allegations against Nassar were made in 2015, it took an additional year for the FBI to investigate the case, and even then, critical errors were made. The investigation failed to document meetings properly and failed to notify local authorities, which allowed Nassar to continue working with athletes for more than a year after the first complaints.

How did the justice system handle Nassar’s case?

Despite the mounting allegations, Nassar continued to work as a physician for both USA Gymnastics and Michigan State University. It wasn’t until 2018 that Nassar was sentenced for his crimes. After more than 150 women came forward with harrowing testimonies of abuse, Nassar was sentenced to 40 to 175 years in prison for sexual assault charges. This came on the heels of a 60-year sentence for his possession of child pornography. His case brought to light the institutional failures that allowed him to abuse hundreds of girls over several decades.

The public outcry reached its peak during the sentencing hearings, where over 150 victims, including Olympic gold medalists Simone Biles, Aly Raisman, and McKayla Maroney, gave powerful victim-impact statements. For many survivors, Nassar’s conviction represented not just justice for their pain but also a larger reckoning for the entire gymnastics community.

What role did Dominique Moceanu play in bringing Larry Nassar to justice?

Olympic gymnasts (l. to r.) Simone Biles, McKayla Maroney and Aly Raisman, and collegiate gymnast Maggie Nichols at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Sept. 15.
Source: Saul Loeb/AFP/Bloomberg via Getty Images

While Nassar’s abuse is often associated with the bravery of athletes like Simone Biles, Aly Raisman, and McKayla Maroney, Dominique Moceanu, a member of the iconic 1996 Olympic gymnastics team, was one of the first to speak out about the abuse that took place under the coaching regime of Béla and Márta Károlyi. Moceanu’s advocacy and courage in confronting the toxic culture of gymnastics helped shed light on Nassar’s abuse, paving the way for others to come forward.

In 2016, Moceanu stood by fellow gymnast Jamie Dantzscher as she publicly accused Nassar of sexual abuse. Moceanu’s support was crucial in empowering other survivors to share their stories. Though Moceanu had retired from gymnastics years earlier, her efforts in creating an underground network to assist Nassar’s victims were instrumental in bringing his crimes to light.

How has Larry Nassar’s case impacted the gymnastics community?

Nassar’s crimes have had a profound impact on the gymnastics community, shaking it to its core. The survivors’ courageous actions not only held Nassar accountable but also forced a reckoning within USA Gymnastics, Michigan State University, and other powerful institutions. The abuse exposed the systemic flaws within the sport—flaws that allowed Nassar to abuse his power unchecked for years. Survivors like Simone Biles and Aly Raisman have since become powerful advocates for athletes’ rights, speaking out against the failures of the system that enabled Nassar’s abuse.

The case also led to large-scale legal settlements, including a $500 million settlement from Michigan State University and a $380 million settlement from USA Gymnastics. In 2022, the U.S. Justice Department agreed to pay $138 million to the survivors of Nassar’s abuse, acknowledging the FBI’s failure to act on early reports of abuse.

What’s next for Larry Nassar?

Larry Nassar is currently serving his prison sentences in a federal facility, where he is expected to remain for the remainder of his life. In 2018, after surviving a brutal attack in prison, Nassar was transferred to a more secure location. His case continues to be a symbol of the ongoing fight for justice and accountability as survivors of sexual abuse demand more rigorous protections for athletes and other vulnerable individuals.

FAQs

How many victims did Larry Nassar have? Larry Nassar sexually abused more than 330 women and girls over a span of decades. Many of these victims were athletes at USA Gymnastics and Michigan State University, where Nassar maintained a medical practice.

How long was Larry Nassar sentenced to prison? Nassar was sentenced to up to 175 years in prison for sexual assault charges, in addition to a 60-year sentence for child pornography charges.

What role did Simone Biles play in Nassar’s conviction? Simone Biles, along with other Olympic gymnasts, became a vocal advocate for victims of Nassar’s abuse. She testified in court and helped bring attention to the systemic failures that allowed Nassar to continue his abuse for so long.

How has Nassar’s case affected the gymnastics community? Nassar’s case has sparked major changes within the gymnastics community, including legal settlements and calls for reform in how allegations of abuse are handled. Many survivors have become advocates for systemic change and for better protections for athletes.