The 2017 Larry Nassar scandal revealed the major failures of USA Gymnastics to protect its athletes. Nassar, a trusted doctor, used his position to abuse gymnasts for years while coaches and officials ignored repeated warnings. This culture of silence and inaction allowed the abuse to continue for far too long. To make sure this never happens again, those who allowed Nassar’s actions to continue must be held accountable, and the system needs to change to focus on athlete safety.

The survivors of Nassar’s abuse showed incredible courage in speaking out, even when many people didn’t believe them. Athletes should never be afraid to report abuse; their voices must always be heard and respected. As Dominique Dawes said in an interview with Lesley Visser, “You just knew that you couldn’t speak out. And you couldn’t say if you were being treated poorly, or if you were in some pain because if you did, they would take away that Olympic dream of yours.” Dominique Dawes on Kelli Hill’s emotional abuse This culture of fear and silence must end. Survivors need full support, and their experiences should lead to changes that guarantee every athlete’s safety and well-being.

The Nassar scandal shows how badly we need a shift in sports, where athlete safety and mental health are the top priorities. Dawes also talked about the pressure athletes face: "We were trained and taught to look for imperfections in ourselves… and to believe that we're never good enough.” Dominique Dawes on Kelli Hill’s emotional abuse This harmful mindset affects athletes long after they leave the sport. To prevent this from happening again, coaches and doctors need to be trained in ways that put the athlete’s well-being first, not just their performance. Gymnasts also need to learn about their rights, mental health, and how to spot and report abuse.

To make these changes happen, we need to improve training for coaches and doctors. It’s important to focus on athlete-centered approaches that protect both their physical and emotional safety. USA Gymnastics must have a zero-tolerance policy for abuse, along with anonymous reporting systems and regular checks to make sure safety standards are being followed. By holding those in charge accountable and putting athletes’ needs first, we can create a safer environment where no gymnast has to fear for their safety. While we can’t undo the past, we can work toward a future where no athlete is left vulnerable again.