Two of the main victims are Olympic gold medalists McKayla Maroney, left, and Simone Biles
Hundreds of women victims of the sexual harassment and exploitation of former US national gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar will receive $380 million after reaching a settlement with the USA Gymnastics Federation.
The settlement ends a five-year legal battle that began in the wake of the massive abuse scandal that has rocked American sports.
Nassar was sentenced to more than 300 years in prison in 2018 for molesting gymnasts.
Female athletes, including several Olympic medalists, testified about how Nassar sexually assaulted them.
The settlement is among the largest ever in a sexual assault case, and as part of an agreement between USA Gymnastics and the Olympic Committee, it will grant board seats to survivors.
Rachel Denhollander, the first woman to publicize allegations against Nassar in 2016, welcomed the news, writing on Twitter: “This chapter is finally closed.”
“Now the serious work of reform and rebuilding can begin. Whether justice is served and change occurs or not depends on what happens next,” she added.
The settlement will include claims made by Olympic gold medalists, including Simone Biles, Aly Raisman and McKayla Maroney.
In all, Nassar has been accused of sexual assault by more than 330 women and girls at US Gymnastics and Michigan State University.
A report on the FBI investigation published in July found numerous errors, delays, and cover-ups by FBI agents, allowing Nassar’s abuses to continue for months after the case was first opened.
A lawyer representing the victims called Monday’s settlement “historic” but said they would continue to “seek justice” against officials who failed to investigate.
The US gymnastics team doctor has been sentenced to 175 years for sexually assaulting more than 150 girls
Attorney John C. Manley praised the women who testified in public, adding: “We have won for one simple reason: the courage and perseverance of the survivors.”
USA Gymnastics declared bankruptcy in 2018, with the lawsuits against Nassar continuing to grow.
The settlement was confirmed during a federal bankruptcy court hearing on Monday.
About $880 million in compensation has now been agreed in cases related to Nassar’s abuse, after Michigan State University agreed to pay $500 million in 2018.
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