Olympic medallist Simone Biles says she would ban her daughter from following in her gymnastic footsteps for this heartbreaking reason

Olympic gymnast Simone Biles has admitted she would ban her daughter from competing in gymnastics in the USA as she doesn't feel 'comfortable', following the Larry Nassar sexual assault scandal.

As reported, the former USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar was sentenced to up to 175 years in prison in 2018 for sexually abusing more than 200 athletes, including Simone. But the sexual abuse crisis that has shaken American gymnastics deepened this week (Thursday 25th February) when a coach of the 2012 women’s Olympic team was charged with human trafficking and sexually assaulting a teenage girl, before killing himself a short time later.

The long-lasting damage is proving to be affecting both current and future generations of the sport, as Simone told 60 Minutes that she wouldn't let her future daughter be part of USA Gymnastics due to their handling of the scandal.

When asked if she would allow her future daughter, if she had one, to train with the US team, she explained, "No. Because I don’t feel comfortable enough, because they haven’t taken accountability for their actions and what they’ve done. And they haven’t ensured us that it’s never going to happen again."

More from woman&home:

• best running shoes for women - to help you make the right decision before parting with your cash
• best yoga mats - to help make your shop so much easier
• best fitness tracker - to help you monitor activity, sleep and health metrics

Simone, 23, was one of more than 200 athletes who came forward with allegations that Nassar assaulted them during his time as a doctor for the U.S. Gymnastics team and Michigan State University. 

And this recent Geddert case grew out of the original Nassar investigation and Mr. Geddert was suspended by the U.S.A. Gymnastics in 2018 after being accused of abuse. He then announced his retirement from the Twistars gymnastics club in Dimondale, Mich., the gym he owned, and took his own life this week.

Simone, who shared Michelle Obama's inspirational advice, has previously severely criticized USA Gymnastics, saying the organization failed to protect athletes from sexual abuse by the former team doctor and has called for an independent investigation. 

She believes many questions remain unanswered. 

“Just who knew what, when? You guys have failed so many athletes. And most of us underage. You guys don’t think that’s a bigger problem. Like, if that were me and I knew something I’d want it resolved immediately,” she added.

These latest charges against Geddert were filed by the Michigan attorney general, Dana Nessel, who said the victims suffered from self-harm and eating disorders and endured “extreme” emotional and physical abuse, including being forced to train while injured.

“Many of these victims still carry these scars from his behavior to this day,” Ms. Nessel said.

Meanwhile, Li Li Leung, the president and chief executive of USA Gymnastics, told 60 Minutes the organization “[recognizes] how deeply we have broken the trust of our athletes and community, and are working hard to build that trust back.” 

In January last year, USA Gymnastics announced a plan to pay a $215 million settlement to the group of athletes assaulted by Nassar.