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Gymnast ​Aly Raisman Powerfully Tells Larry Nassar 'You Are Nothing' In Court

Gymnast ​Aly Raisman Powerfully Tells Larry Nassar 'You Are Nothing' In Court

She told him: "I’m no longer that little girl you met in Australia who you first began grooming and manipulating."

Jess Hardiman

Jess Hardiman

Olympic gymnast Aly Raisman is the latest person to speak out against Larry Nassar, the former USA Gymnastics team doctor who has pleaded guilty to multiple counts of sexually assaulting and abusing young girls. She appeared in court with fellow gymnast Jordyn Wieber to testify ahead of his sentencing next week.

"Larry, you do realise that we, this group of women you so heartlessly abused over such a long period of time, are now a force, and you are nothing," Raisman said.

As she said the last three words, she looked up to stare Nassar down, pausing to let it sink in.

"The tables have turned, Larry. We are here, we have our voices and we are not going anywhere."

She then told Nassar it was his turn to listen to her.

"Larry, you abused the power and trust I and so many others placed in you, and I am not sure I will ever come to terms with how horribly you manipulated and violated me."

She continued: "I am here to face you, Larry, so you can see I've regained my strength. That I am no longer a victim. I am a survivor.

"I'm no longer that little girl you met in Australia who you first began grooming and manipulating."

PA

She then addressed a statement that Nassar had given the day before, telling the judge that he was unsure if he had the mental stamina to listen to so many victim impact statements.

Raisman simply told him that he was 'pathetic' to think anyone would have any sympathy for him.

"Imagine how it feels to be an innocent teenager in a foreign country, hearing a knock on the door and it's you.

"I don't want you to be there, but I don't have a choice.

"Treatments with you were mandatory. You took advantage of that. You even told on us if we didn't want to be treated by you, knowing full well the troubles that would cause for us.

"Lying on my stomach with you on my bed, insisting that your inappropriate touch would help to heal my pain.

"The reality is you caused me a great deal of physical, mental and emotional pain."

She continued: "You took advantage of our passions and our dreams."

PA

Raisman also admitted that he made her 'uncomfortable' and she found him 'weird', but that she felt guilty because he was a doctor. Raisman said that she had assumed she was the problem.

Throughout her statement, she continually locked eyes with him, staring Nassar down while speaking firmly and forcefully not only about what he had done, but also that her and other woman have the power to make sure he gets what he deserves.

But she wasn't just speaking out against Nassar - she also turned her attention to USA Gymnastics and USOC, criticising how they allowed Nassar to influence the sport so much, especially given that both institutions had received complaints about his abuse for decades.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: SPORT, News, US News, sport news