Athlete A

“When the Nassar story came out, we were trying to get on to the bigger story, of what’s wrong, at USA Gymnastics. We wanted to establish that it went far beyond Nassar. We knew it did, because of what we were finding out about the culture.”- Steve Berta, reporter for The Indianapolis Star, in Athlete A

Film Synopsis

Maggie Nichols devoted most of her life to being on the national gymnastics team. Like other Olympic hopefuls, she’d given up almost everything to achieve this goal. She was on the road to the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. But her dream was shattered after she reported being sexually abused by USA Gymnastics (USAG) team doctor Larry Nassar, the allegedly caring physician and pillar of his suburban community.

Also in 2016, a team of Indianapolis Star journalists—Mark Alesia, Tim Evans, and Marisa Kwiatkowski—reported on a story in which predatory gymnastics coaches had been moved from gym to gym, but never charged with a crime. Their story revealed that USAG protected coaches, and often broke the law by failing to report allegations of abuse to authorities. Former competitive gymnast Rachael Denhollander read the explosive Indianapolis Star article and thought “Now’s the time.” She called The Indianapolis Star about the abuse she suffered at the hands of Larry Nassar. National Rhythmic gymnastics champion Jessica Howard read the same article and also called the newspaper with a similar account of abuse by Nassar. Yet another gymnast, Olympian Jamie Dantzcher, spoke to her attorney who also contacted The Indianapolis Star regarding her Nassar allegations.

Meanwhile, reporters wondered: If there were three Nassar victims contacting the newspaper, how many more could there be?

Turns out many many more: at least 500 reported thus far, including 9 Olympians. In training its lens on athletes vying for a coveted spot on the American Olympic team, as well as junior gymnasts coming up the ranks, Athlete A investigates systemic abuse and institutionalized corruption within the world of gymnastics.

Athlete A spotlights the horrific sexual abuse of hundreds of young athletes by USAG team doctor Larry Nassar, and shines an even brighter light on the team of individuals working to hold USA Gymnastics and Lassar Nassar accountable. The Indianapolis Star reporters who broke the story and revealed the cover-up that occurred at the highest levels of the Olympic sport. The courageous group of survivors—Nichols, Denhollander, Dantzscher and Howard–who bravely fought the system. Together with a team of other determined women,including—police detective Lt. Andrea Munford and prosecuting attorney Angela Povilaitis— truth prevailed. Justice was served. Nichols was able to find joy in the sport again—at the college level.

Directors’ Statement

Athlete A tells the story of the tireless investigative reporters and brave gymnasts who together helped send Larry Nassar to prison and exposed the decades-long abusive culture of USA Gymnastics. The story reminds us Americans of the value of the pursuit of truth and justice. With the help of hard-working journalists, discerning law enforcement officials, and determined prosecutors, this group of women fought back against their abusers and prevailed.

Jen Sey, the 1986 U.S. national women’s gymnastics champion, asked us if we would be interested in telling the story behind the downfall of Larry Nassar, who at the time stood accused of sexually assaulting several current and former athletes at Michigan State and in the U.S. Olympic program. We knew about Nassar’s crimes, but we didn’t know that he was the tip of the iceberg. We learned that the cover-up of abuse perpetrated by staff of USA Gymnastics had been going on for decades and that if we started filming right away we would witness the unraveling of the leadership of the sport. Jen had written her memoir, Chalked Up: My Life in Elite Gymnastics in 2008, about systemic psychological and physical abuse inside USA Gymnastics. We knew that, together with Jen, we could make a contemporary film about abuse in the sport that had strong historical ties that reverberated back decades.

Before Athlete A, we directed Audrie & Daisy, a film about the sexual assault and subsequent bullying of high school girls. As parents, we were floored by the experience of getting to know the families of the survivors. We are also big fans of films such as All The President’s Men and Spotlight which highlight the heroic work of journalists. Fact-finding is difficult, painstaking work. Speaking out against your abuser is frightening and painful. Athlete A is a marriage of these two worlds. We were privileged to be entrusted with the opportunity to document this special collaboration between journalists and key survivors.

Like many Americans, we are also fans of watching women’s gymnastics every four years as part of the Olympic games. In their sport, gymnasts show us what is possible by defying the laws of gravity. In their commitment and performances, our American Olympians serve as inspiring reminders of the incredible potential of human beings. But, along the path to winning medals, wooing sponsors, and making money, something went awry in the Olympic movement. Those in power first took advantage of and later attempted to silence scores of young athletes. Fortunately, these athletes and their supporters reminded us once again of the power of human potential by speaking truth to power. Athlete A is their story.

Overview USA Gymnastics

USA Gymnastics opened its offices in 1983, replacing the US Gymnastics Federation as the National Governing Body (NGB) for the sport of gymnastics. Its members include more than 121,000 athletes and 3,000 gyms, including private gyms, coaches and athletes who are training for elite-level competition. The US Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOC) empowers USA Gymnastics to select the teams that will represent the United States at the Olympics, the World Championships, and other international competitions, including the athletes, coaches, trainers, and other staff. 

The USOC governs all the National Governing Boards of amateur sports associations in the United States that associate with international athletic competitions. The USOC was formed by an act of Congress, the 1978 Amateur Sports Act.

Who’s Who in the Film

The Indianapolis Star Investigative Reporters

• Mark Alesia – Investigative Reporter, The Indianapolis Star
• Steve Berta – Investigations Editor, The Indianapolis Star
• Tim Evans – Investigative Reporter, The Indianapolis Star
• Marisa Kwiatkowski – Investigative Reporter, The Indianapolis Star

Gymnasts

• Jamie Dantzscher – USA Olympic team 2000
• Rachael Denhollander – Former gymnast, attorney, advocate, and author of What is a Girl Worth?
• Jessica Howard – Rhythmic Gymnastics National Champion, 1999, 2000, 2001
• Maggie Nichols – Reigning NCAA all-around champion
• Jennifer Sey – USA National Champion Gymnast, 1986, author of Chalked Up: Inside Elite Gymnastics’ Merciless Coaching, Overzealous Parents, Eating Disorders, and Elusive Olympic Dreams
• Tracee Talavera – USA National all-around champion, 1981 and 1982, member of the 1984 Olympic team

Family members of Gymnasts

• Gina and John Nichols – Maggie Nichols’ parents

USA Gymnastics

• Rhonda Faehn – Former Head of USA Gymnastics Women’s Program
• Sarah Jantzi – Maggie Nichols coach at Twin City Twisters
• Béla Karolyi – USA national team coordinator and head coach of the USA national gymnastics team
• Martha Karolyi – USA national team coordinator and head coach of the USA national gymnastics team
• Larry Nassar – USA Gymnastics doctor, osteopathic physician at Michigan State University, and convicted sex offender
• Steve Penny – President and CEO of USA Gymnastics – April 4, 2005 – March 16, 2017
• Geza Poszar – Karolyi Choreographer, 1974-2002

Attorneys and Law Enforcement

• John Manly – Manly, Stewart & Finaldi – Nichols family lawyer
• Angela Povilaitis, Assistant Attorney General, State of Michigan
• Andrea Munford, Detective Lieutenant, Michigan State University Police

Important Dates for the Film

Summer 1936 – Berlin, The U.S. sends its first women’s gymnastics team to the Olympics.

1963 – USA Gymnastics Federation created.

Summer 1972 – Munich Olympics, Russian gymnast Olga Korbut wins three gold medals and her performance redefines the sport from emphasising ballet and elegance to acrobatics and technique. Gymnastics moves from a niche sport to one of the most popular sports in the world.

Summer 1976 – Montreal Olympics, 14-year-old Romanian gymnast Nadia Comaneci, coached by Bela and Marta Karolyi, becomes first ever gymnast to receive Perfect 10(s) at the Olympic games; wins gold medals and a bronze on floor. 

March 1981 – Bela, Marta and Geza embark on a US tour of 15 cities with the Romanian Team; after their last stop in NYC, the ‘Transylvanian Trio’ defect, skipping their return flight home. 

1982 – 1983 – The Karolyis begin acquiring land just north of Houston and start training a few girls from the city on the weekends – his reputation as “Nadia’s coach” attracts many girls, including Mary Lou Retton.

1983 – USA Gymnastics replaces USGF, opens office in Indianapolis with Mike Jacki at the helm. Facing financial difficulty, USAG begins soliciting funds from McDonald’s, Dodge, K-Mart, and others, ushering in a new era for the organization.

July 1984 – LA Olympics, Mary Lou Retton becomes first woman from a non-Eastern Bloc country to win the Olympic all-around title. Bela Karolyi famously runs out on the floor after Mary Lou’s win.

Post-Olympics 1984 – When Bela returns from the Olympics, girls are “lined up” to be invited to his ranch, heralding a new era in gymnastics vis-à-vis money and sponsorships. 

1986 – Nassar joins the USA Gymnastics National Team medical staff as an athletic trainer.

1993 – Nassar receives osteopathic medical degree from Michigan State University (MSU).

1994 – Nassar begins abusing Jamie Dantzscher; abuse continues for six years.

Summer 1996 – US Women win their first team gold in Atlanta, with Marta Karolyi as head coach; Nassar attends his first Olympics with the team; Karolyis retire from gymnastics after 1996.

1996 – Nassar is appointed National Medical Coordinator for USA Gymnastics. 

1997 – Nassar becomes a team physician and assistant professor at MSU.

October 1998 – USAG is first made aware of sexual misconduct complaints against Georgia coach Bill McCabe via a packet of information put together by a Florida gym owner; USAG does not investigate because there is no letter of complaint from a parent or athlete (and they renew his membership the following year).

2013 – Larry Nassar first abuses Maggie Nichols.

June 17, 2015 – First report by Sarah Jantzi to Rhonda Faehn about her conversation with Maggie Nichols regarding Larry Nassar’s sexual abuse of her and two other gymnasts. Rhonda Faehn immediately notifies Steve Penny who says he’ll report it to the “proper authorities.” Two weeks later on June 30th, Jantzi reports she has learned from Maggie that two other elite gymnasts had stated that Nassar had “massaged her oddly as well.”

Aug. 4, 2016 – The Indianapolis Star launches its investigation: “A blind eye to sex abuse: How USA Gymnastics failed to report cases.”

Sept. 12, 2016 – The Indianapolis Star publishes the first story on Larry Nassar: “Former USA Gymnastics doctor accused of abuse.”

Sept. 25, 2016 – The Indianapolis Star reported more criminal complaints against Nassar: “16 more women accuse former USA Gymnastics doctor of sexual abuse.”

Nov. 22, 2016 – Child sex abuse charges filed against Nassar: “Ex-USA Gymnastics doctor’s charges are ‘tip of the iceberg.’”

Dec. 16, 2016 – Nassar indicted on federal child pornography charges: Larry Nassar indicted on federal child porn charges (Lansing State Journal).

January 10, 2017 – federal lawsuit filed against Nassar, Michigan State University, USA Gymnastics, and Twistars gymnastics club wherein eighteen victims allege sexual assault, battery, molestation, and harassment.

December 20, 2017 – Olympic gymnast McKayla Maroney filed a lawsuit against the United States Olympic Committee, USA Gymnastics, and Michigan State University for the multiple organizational failures to “properly investigate, discipline, or remove” sports doctor Larry Nassar after complaints of sexual abuse suffered under his care. 

January 24, 2018 – Nassar sentenced to 40-175 years in prison on sexual assault charges (in addition to 60 years for child pornography charges).

February 14, 2018 – Passage of the “Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act of 2017.”   

2019 – EMPOWERING OLYMPIC AND AMATEUR ATHLETES ACT OF 2019 -Blumental/Moran Bill will strengthen and expand protections for US athletes at all levels.

Using this Online Guide

Athlete A is an important documentary for anyone who loves sports – the athletes, parents, coaches, sports organizations and teams who work so hard and believe in the healthy benefits of engaging in competition. It is also a story about how investigative journalists uncovered how gymnastics, especially at the elite level, took athletic discipline to the extreme, overlooked abuse for the pursuit of power and money, and failed the very athletes it purported to protect.

The Online Discussion Guide developed for Athlete A provides a framework and resources to help audiences dig deeper into this story by focusing on these key areas:

• How multiple institutions and individuals failed to protect children;
• How investigative journalists uncovered this story and provided unbiased and accurate reporting;
• How the justice system held Larry Nassar accountable and continues to pursue ways to hold others complicit in these crimes accountable;
• And to support and uplift the voices of survivors of sexual abuse and highlight the courage it takes to tell your story.

Pre & Post-Screening Questions

A (Toxic) Institutional Culture

In Athlete A we learn of how the multiple layers of mental, emotional, physical, and sexual abuse within USA Gymnastics were covered up, and how institutions such as the US Olympic Committee and Michigan State University, were similarly complicit by suppressing reports of abuse and prioritizing their reputation, money, and power over the health, well-being, and safety of its gymnasts. 

“There were sexual predators everywhere (in USA Gymnastics). They were in my gym. The national team coach, Don Peters, was a known sexual abuser. They were everywhere across the country, and we knew who they were. But more broadly, emotional and physical abuse was actually the norm. And we were all so beaten down by that and made so obedient that when we knew that there was a sexual abuser in our midst we would never say anything. We felt utterly powerless.”- Jen Sey, Athlete A, Former Gymnast, Author of Chalked Up

“You know, these children are all being advised by adults, as to how they can realize their Olympic dream. So you’re basically using that child’s dream to build this brand. And they were so busy trying to sell that brand, they didn’t have time for those girls.”- Steve Berta, Investigations Editor, The Indianapolis Star

Individual Complicity and Professional Ethics

“Why does this [sexual misconduct/abuse with minors] seem to keep happening? Why do people not report as they’re required to do?”- Marisa Kwiatkowski, The Indianapolis Star

Sexual abuse in USA Gymnastics did not begin with Larry Nassar. The IndyStar reported that over a 10 year period USA Gymnastics compiled more than 50 sexual misconduct complaints that were never investigated, and their illegal policy was to file those in a drawer in an executive’s office. In fact, “those coaches went on, according to police and court records, to abuse at least 14 underage gymnasts after the warnings.” 

Mark Alesia, former investigative journalist at the IndyStar says, “ The extent to which certain powerful people will go to protect their salary, their powerful institution, their position in life. Here the extent was covering up child sexual abuse. I’d like to think no matter how powerful or how much money I made, I’d never cover up something like this.” 

Cases the IndyStar uncovered of other sexually abusive gymnastics coaches included William “Bill” McCabe, Mark Schiefelbein, James Bell, and Marvin Sharp. 

Speaking Out: Survivors’ Stories

“One person alone can’t do this (spark the investigation). We need to help people understand that it takes a team and a community to respond – hundreds of people – to get survivors’ stories heard.”- Rachael Denhollander, former gymnast, attorney, advocate, and author of What is a Girl Worth?

For every survivor who chooses to come forward, there are many more who do not. The reasons a person might not report sexual abuse or assault vary, but many have to do with cultural constructs around sex and sexuality that lead victims to believe they are at fault, to doubt their own experience, or to fear the consequences of reporting.

Jamie Dantzscher

“Larry, you saw all the physical, mental and emotional abuse from our coaches and USAG national staff. You pretended to be on my side, calling all of them the monsters. But instead of protecting children, and reporting the abuse you saw, you used your position of power to manipulate and abuse as well. You knew I was powerless. I’m here today, with all these other women, not victims, but survivors, to tell you face-to-face, that your days of manipulation are over. We have a voice now. We have the power now.”

Rachael Denhollander

 “I will be filing a police report with the hope that the DA picks it up and presses charges for First-Degree Sexual Assault. I know that means that if the DA picks it up, I’ll be testifying, with great detail in open court, in front of him (Larry Nassar), knowing that we both have the same memories. And I hate that idea. I hate it. But if I don’t, he can continue, and I hate that idea more.”

Jessica Howard 

“When something hits you like, that realization, that it was sexual abuse, and you haven’t known, haven’t thought about it, it becomes so real. Like it was yesterday. Like it just happened to you, like you are 15.”

Maggie Nichols

“USA Gymnastics and the United States Olympic Committee did not provide a safe environment for me and my teammates and friends to train. We were subjected to Dr. Larry Nassar at every National Team Training camp, which occurred monthly at the Karolyi Ranch. Up until now, I was identified as “Athlete A: by USA Gymnastics, the United States Olympic Committee and Michigan State University. And I want everyone to know that he did not do this to Athlete A, he did it to Maggie Nichols.”
– Gina Nichols reading Maggie Nichols’ impact statement at Larry Nassar’s trial

Jennifer Sey

“You know, in other sports, the athletes are adults. They can reasonably make choices about what they want. I don’t think that is true in gymnastics. These kids go to these National training centers when they’re ten years old. They are abused and mistreated, for years, so even by the time they’re of age, the line between tough coaching and child abuse, gets blurred.

So, then when real obvious abuse, sexual abuse, happens, you already don’t believe your own take on things. Because you think you’re hungry, you think your ankle hurts, you think that you’re working really hard, and you’re screamed at that you’re lazy and you’re fat and there’s nothing wrong with your ankle. I can only imagine that what you feel is, I’m lucky to be here, so I’m not gonna say anything.” 

Exposing the Truth: Investigative Journalism

“I view investigative journalism as shining a light on things when they’re not working the way they’re supposed to.” - Marisa Kwiatkowski, Investigative Journalist

At the heart of Athlete A is the team of investigative journalists, whose commitment to truth and accuracy, and ultimately to stopping further harm to the athletes within USA Gymnastics, brought the abuse and the cover-up to light so that all of the perpetrators could be held accountable. 

Michigan Assistant Attorney General Angela Povilaitis said at Nassar’s sentencing, “If IndyStar journalists didn’t help expose the sexual abuse of young gymnasts by Larry Nassar, it could have gone on even longer. We, as a society, need investigative journalists more than ever. What finally started this reckoning and ended this decades-long cycle of abuse was investigative reporting. Without that first Indianapolis Star story in August 2016; without the story where Rachael (Denhollander) came forward publicly shortly thereafter — he would still be practicing medicine, treating athletes and abusing kids.“

Oversight, Accountability, and the Law

“I didn’t know who Maggie was, but she told me the story and told me that her daughter had reported in June of 2015. And then I knew exactly who I was dealing with. I was dealing with an organization that didn’t give a rat’s ass about children, that cared only about itself, and that was covering up rape.” - John Manly, attorney, in Athlete A

Mandatory Reporting and Child Abuse Laws

Historically, societal understanding and agreement about child abuse is relatively new. The 1962 publication of the article, The Battered Child Syndrome. 

In 1974 Congress passed the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA), which has been updated and expanded upon many times, to write protection for children into our national law. Notably, CAPTA mandates that every state create provisions for certain individuals, such as doctors, social workers, educators, and others, to report known or suspected cases of child abuse to appropriate authorities.

Additionally, in 2017 Congress passed the Protecting Young Victims and Safe Sport Authorization Act which created the US Center for SafeSport and mandates cooperation with rules and policies meant to prevent abuse and to encourage reporting within the USOC and all the National Governing Bodies (NGBs) it oversees.

To learn more click here to find the mandatory reporting laws.

Read an overview of Federal and State Reporting Laws from SafeSport here.

United States Senate Report: “The Courage to Report”

Just a day after Larry Nassar was sentenced Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kansas) and Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Connecticut), who have oversight authority over amateur sports, including USOC and its affiliated NGBs, convened the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, Subcommittee on Manufacturing, Trade and Consumer Protection. They were determined to turn their shock into action and investigate how such a systematic failure of oversight occurred. 

From the conclusion of the investigation, The Senate Report, “The Courage to Act” was published. It recommended  a massive personnel and policy change at the US Olympic Committee, and throughout the National Governing Bodies it oversees. To date these changes are still evolving. 

The results of the inquiry into the FBI’s inaction remain in question. On June 17, 2020, more than 120 of the case survivors sent a letter to the Department of Justice demanding that portion of the investigation be made public.

Highlights of Senate Findings

• Officials at USOC, USAG, MSU and the FBI sat on evidence of sexual misconduct for over a year and failed to act – allowing for additional sexual abuse of dozens of other girls.
• Nassar was able to abuse over 300 athletes over two decades because of ineffective oversight by USAG and USOC.
• USAG and USOC failed to uphold their statutory purposes and duties to protect amateur athletes from sexual, emotional, and physical abuse.
• USAG and USOC knowingly concealed abuse by Nassar, leading to further abuse beginning in the summer of 2015 – September 2016.

Families

Talk to your children openly about your values around healthy relationships and sexuality. Let them know that they can speak openly with you no matter what happens. Ask questions about the hiring practices and policies around sexual abuse in place at any organization your child may become involved with. Further resources available for parents at:

• • RAINN.org: https://www.rainn.org/safety-parents
  • PreventChildAbuse.org: https://preventchildabuse.org/resources/ptow/
  • Parenting Tips Poster 

To encourage girls to have healthy relationship with athletics:

• • Women and Sports Foundation – the preeminent organization for women and girls in sports
  • Girls on the Run: After-school programming to encourage physical activity as a source of self-esteem and empowerment for girls.

Schools and Universities

Title IX of the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights guarantees that students are free from sex discrimination at any public school. Title IX enforcement has included policies and procedures related to sexual harassment, abuse and assault at schools. Ask your school about their policies and hiring practices, and how they train teachers to comply with those policies. For more information visit:

• • Women and Sports Foundation – the preeminent organization for women and girls in sports
  • KnowYourIX.org: A student-led movement to prevent sexual violence in high schools and higher education campuses.
  • https://www.rainn.org/safety-students
  • Infographic for Schools and Organizations

Youth-serving Organizations

Youth-serving Organizations, including sports, faith groups, and others: Have a clear policy about how your organization protects its members from sexual harassment and abuse, and train staff and volunteers on those policies, as well as on how to report any suspected or known abuse. For more information visit:

• • Women and Sports Foundation – the preeminent organization for women and girls in sports
  • Safety Suggestion Poster for Schools and Youth-Serving Organizations 
  • Futures WIthout Violence: Coaching Boys into Men Playbook
  • FreeFrom: Working towards long-term well being for survivors 
  • ALongWalkHome: Empowering young women to use art to make change
  • RiseUpTogether: Activating young women and girls to make transformational change in their communities 

Community-Wide Efforts

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has published technical assistance guides for communities looking to implement evidence-based violence prevention, including strategies for raising awareness, promoting youth-led and women-led empowerment programs, and supporting survivors. 

Click here for a list of community-based and national organizations working to end domestic violence.

State and National Government

At the national level, rules like Title IX in schools, and the SafeSport program govern the way youth-serving organizations are run, and how they are held accountable when abuse happens. Laws at the state and national level govern mandatory reporting rules, definitions of abuse and assault, statutes of limitation, and other laws related to sexual abuse. Find out what’s happening in your state here: https://www.rainn.org/public-policy-action

Support Local and Investigative Journalism

As the way people are consuming news is changing, so is the landscape of support for the kind of local, investigative journalism featured in Athlete A. But there is something everyone can do to support independent investigative journalism:

Pay for Your Online News – paying for a subscription to your favorite news source helps fund further investigative effortt

Support Your Local News Sources – this list of organizations supports local news efforts around the country, and around the world

• The Knight Foundation supports funders of local news efforts
• The Fund for Local Journalism provides a list of local news sources to which you can subscribe

Get Involved –there are many non-profit organizations that conduct investigative journalism, and to which you can donate directly or subscribe:

• The Center for Investigative Reporting (CIR) – Founded in 1977, CIR is the nation’s first non-profit investigative journalism organization. Their website, REVEAL, is where CIR publishes its reporting.
• The Center for Public Integrity (CPI) – Founded in 1989, CPI is a nonprofit, nonpartisan newsroom investigating democracy, power and privilege. Our reporting focuses on the influence of money and the impact of inequality on our society. 
• ProPublica – ProPublica’s award-winning journalism has helped hold accountable leaders at the state, local, and national level. It’s also contributed to the passage of new laws and reversals of harmful policies. Its mission is to expose wrongdoing by government, business, and other institutions and uses investigative journalism to spur real reform.