Shawn Johnson East Opens up About USA Gymnastics and Larry Nassar in YouTube Video

The former Olympian has spoken out against the USA Gymnastics organization and its compliance regarding former team doctor Larry Nassar.

In a video running over five minutes long posted on Monday, Shawn Johnson East made her voice heard. The gold medalist shared a video on her vlog captioned, “This was the hardest video I have ever had to make, but I had to make it. Gymnastics was a huge part of my life and I want to make sure other children are able to enjoy the sport. We need protection from people like Larry Nassar and we need to change the systems and guidelines that are in place.”

Now considering how Johnson East shared the tale of her miscarriage at the end of last year, there’s a lot being said here. While victims gave their statements as Nassar stood on trial, the voice of this Olympian is just one of many. Dr. Larry Nassar of USA Gymnastics has been accused of assaulting more than 140 young women. She recognizes the system that failed so many young girls, and devastatingly adds that, if she had a daughter right now, that she could not put her daughter in gymnastics, regardless of her love for the sport.

Fighting back tears she says, ” To see the videos of Aly [Raisman] and Jordyn [Wieber], these girls that I grew up with and love so much, have to face this man, a man that has violated them in the worst way possible, is just disgusting.” She continues, “And I think if you want to gain the trust of the world, if you want to gain the trust from coaches and from parents and make little girls feel comfortable again, you need to change the system completely.”