Olympic champion athlete accuses doctor of sexual harassment

McKayla Maroney says she was abused by gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar from the age of 13.

Maroney (far left) and his teammates won the gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics.

Maroney, 21, said the abuse lasted for more than seven years, starting at a national team training camp in Texas (USA). The former "golden girl" of American gymnastics decided to go public after being supported by a wave of accusations against famous Hollywood film producer Harvey Weinstein.

"It never ended until I retired," Maroney said.

Larry Nassar denies all allegations. He is currently in custody in Michigan State Prison awaiting trial on a series of sexual assault charges. In early 2017, Nassar admitted to possessing child abuse images.

Mr. Nassar during a trial in Michigan state court.

Maroney was a member of the US team that won the gold medal in the team event at the 2012 Olympics. At the same games, she also won a silver medal in the individual event of the equestrian vault.

"I was abused by Larry Nassar, the women's national gymnastics team and Olympic team doctor," Maroney wrote on Twitter. "He took every opportunity to get close to me under the guise of treatment. This happened before my team won gold at the Olympics and before I won silver."

Maroney and Mr. Nassar worked together for seven years.

Maroney is the most high-profile accuser of Nassar. Hundreds of other women have come forward, according to the Indianapolis Star, prompting the government to open an investigation into Nassar, who spent more than three decades in gymnastics and competed with the U.S. team at four Olympic Games.

The scandal led to the resignation of USA Gymnastics President and CEO Steve Penny.

According to VNE