Bela and Martha Karolyi, Former Gymnastics Coaches, Deny Knowing About Nassar’s Abuse

UNITED STATES
New York Times

By CHRISTINE HAUSER

APRIL 20, 2018

Bela and Martha Karolyi, the former coordinators and coaches of the United States women’s gymnastics team, said that they were not aware of the widespread sexual abuse of gymnasts by Lawrence G. Nassar, the former team doctor.

In their first interview since the allegations surfaced about Dr. Nassar, who is expected to spend the rest of his life in prison, Ms. Karolyi said that even parents who were in the same room with their children did not notice the abuse, which her husband said affected the sport “like an explosion.”

Excerpts from the interview were released on Friday ahead of its full broadcast on NBC’s “Dateline” on Sunday. It will also feature the program’s full interview with McKayla Maroney, the Olympic gold medal-winning gymnast, who spoke about the “hundreds” of times she was molested, according to excerpts.

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