Pressure is mounting for the decertification of USA Gymnastics by the U.S. Olympic Committee.
It has been revealed that the organization knew of athlete safety allegations against the wife of Edward Nyman, Jr., PhD, before he was hired, reports Southern California News Group affiliate The OC Register.
Six things to know:
1. Dr. Nyman was terminated as the USAG's first full-time director of sports medicine and science just hours into the new position on April 30.
2. It was the third time since August 2018 that a USAG hire lasted less than one week, with Mary Bono resigning as interim CEO after four days and coach Mary Lee Tracy being asked to resign after she had defended former USAG national medical coordinator Larry Nassar after his arrest.
3. SCNG reported that USAG was aware of athlete safety complaints made against New Heights Gymnastics in Fulton, Ohio, which is owned by Amy Nyman, Dr. Nyman's wife.
4. According to SCNG, complaints of emotional and verbal abuse were lodged against Amy Nyman. The complaints were serious enough to be forwarded to the U.S. Center for SafeSport in February, two months before Dr. Nyman's hiring.
5. Speaking to SCNG, Dr. Nyman denied any wrongdoing but admitted he discussed the allegations with a USAG lawyer before he was hired.
6. "Dr. Nyman was terminated for his failure to disclose athlete safety complaints involving the club with which he is affiliated to USA Gymnastics," USAG said in a statement issued to SCNG. "This demonstrated poor judgment and created a conflict of interest that disqualified him from serving in this important role."
The USOC halted the decertification process after the USAG filed for Chapter 11 protection in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in December, a decision which has received widespread criticism.