He was lauded as a must-see doctor for the United States’ best gymnasts. Now Lawrence G. Nassar will spend the rest of his life in prison. Over seven days at a marathon sentencing hearing in Michigan, women recounted his sexual abuse.
“You seem to have a hard time looking at me now, but you didn’t when I was half-naked on your table. What kind of doctor can tell a 13-year-old they are done growing by the size of their pubic bone?" — Arianna Guerrero, gymnast
“'He’s a miracle worker. He can fix anyone or anything.’ Thinking back to these words filling my naïve mind, all I can think of is how this man, someone who held oh-so-many high credentials, was the monster who left me with more pain and scars than I came to his office with.” — Jade Capua, gymnast
Nassar was team doctor for USA Gymnastics and was employed by Michigan State University. He has pleaded guilty to 10 counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct.
“My vagina was sore during my competition because of this man. How disgusting is that to even say out loud?” — Amy Labadie, gymnast
“Larry is the most dangerous type of abuser. One who is capable of manipulating his victims through coldly calculated grooming methodologies, presenting the most wholesome and caring external persona as a deliberate means to ensure a steady stream of young children to assault.” — Rachael Denhollander, gymnast
Many of his accusers said they were minors when the assaults occurred. A family friend said Nassar began abusing her when she was about 6 years old.
“Please don’t waste your allocution on your grief, your regret or any other emotion. Don’t tell us how you and God have made amends, or how you are different. You need to confess the facts.” — Emma Ann Miller, gymnast
“Little girls don’t stay little forever. They grow into strong women that return to destroy your world.” — Kyle Stephens, family friend
Most of the women were gymnasts. Others were dancers, rowers and runners. Softball, soccer and volleyball players. One was a swimmer. Another, a figure skater.
“My parents, who had my best interest at heart, will forever have to live with the fact that they continually brought their daughter to a sexual predator, and were in the room as he assaulted me.”— Marie Anderson, swimmer
“The army you chose in the late ‘90s to silence me, to dismiss me and my attempt at speaking the truth, will not prevail over the army you created when violating us.” — Tiffany Thomas Lopez, softball player
Among the gymnasts are Olympians who have at least 18 medals from the games. Simone Biles and Gabby Douglas, both Olympic all-around champions, have said Nassar abused them.
“I had a dream to go to the Olympics, and the things that I had to endure to get there were unnecessary and disgusting.” — McKayla Maroney, gymnast and two-time Olympic medalist
“I thought that training for the Olympics would be the hardest thing that I would ever have to do. But, in fact, the hardest thing I would ever have to do is process that I am a victim of Larry Nassar.” — Jordan Wieber, gymnast and Olympic medalist
Some of the women said parents, coaches and acquaintances were hesitant to believe their accounts.
“I was attacked on social media. ... People didn’t believe me, even people I thought were my friends. They called me a liar, a whore, and even accused me of making all of this up just to get attention.” — Jamie Dantzscher, gymnast and Olympic medalist
The women said USA Gymnastics and Michigan State failed to report their concerns. Many called for Lou Anna Simon, the president of the university, to resign. (Simon resigned Wednesday.)
“When asked to be here for a survivor’s statement today, you stated you are too busy to fit it in your schedule. Well, Lou Anna Simon, I can assure you, none of us had the time in our schedules for the past five to 20 years for Larry Nassar to abuse us.” — Lindsey Lemke, gymnast
“I reported it. Michigan State University, the school I loved and trusted, had the audacity to tell me that I did not understand the difference between sexual assault and a medical procedure.” — Amanda Thomashow, Michigan State student
As Nassar’s hearing progressed, more and more women decided to go public with their stories. They described a pattern of abuse over more than 20 years.
“Let this sentence strike fear in anyone who thinks it is OK to hurt another person. Abusers, your time is up. The survivors are here, standing tall, and we are not going anywhere.” — Aly Raisman, gymnast and six-time Olympic medalist
This article originally appeared in The New York Times.