USA gymnast McKayla Maroney shared Wednesday she was molested by US Women's National Gymnastics Team and Olympic team doctor Larry Nassar since she was 13 years old.
Maroney, 21, wrote in a statement on Twitter that the first time she was molested by Nassar was at one of her first National Team training camps and it didn't end until she retired from gymnastics.
"This is happening everywhere. Wherever there is a position of power, there seems to be potential for abuse. I had a dream to go to the Olympics, and the things that I had to endure to get there were unnecessary and disgusting," Maroney wrote.
Maroney wrote she decided to share her story because of the #MeToo campaign on social media that has empowered victims, both male and female, to speak out about sexual assault and harassment this week.
Maroney wrote she was molested by Nassar "whenever and wherever" he had a chance to "treat" her.
Nassar, who has been accused by dozens of women for molestation of young athletes in his Michigan State University clinics and the US Women's Team, is currently imprisoned after pleading guilty for child pornography.
Nassar is still being sued by more than 125 women who claim he disguised his abuse as medical treatments.
Maroney said she wants change and encouraged victims and witnesses to speak out and to have zero tolerance for abuse and protecetion of abusers.
"Our silence has given the wrong people power for too long, and it's time to take our power back. And remember, it's never too late to speak up," Maroney wrote.
