USA Gymnastics has cut ties with Karolyi Ranch in Huntsville, Texas amid the sexual abuse scandal involving former team doctor Larry Nassar.
The change comes just a few days after gold medalist Symone Biles revealed that she was also abused by Nassar.
On social media, Biles said it "breaks her heart" to think she would have to return to the training facility where she was abused in order to train for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.
In a series of tweets on Thursday afternoon attributed to Kerry Perry, president and CEO of USA Gymnastics, the organization said it terminated its agreement with Karoyli Ranch, which is where the national team trained.
Please attribute to Kerry Perry, president and CEO
— USA Gymnastics (@USAGym) January 18, 2018
“USA Gymnastics has terminated its agreement with the Karolyi Ranch in Huntsville, Texas. It will no longer serve as the USA Gymnastics National Team Training Center.
The statement said that the top priority of USA gymnastics was its athletes and their training environment must reflect that.
“It has been my intent to terminate this agreement since I began as president and CEO in December. Our most important priority is our athletes, and their training environment must reflect this. We are committed to a culture that empowers and supports our athletes.
— USA Gymnastics (@USAGym) January 18, 2018
Next week’s training camp for the women’s national team was also canceled.
“We have cancelled next week’s training camp for the U.S. Women’s National Team. We are exploring alternative sites to host training activities and camps until a permanent location is determined. We thank all those in the gymnastics community assisting in these efforts.”
— USA Gymnastics (@USAGym) January 18, 2018
Biles, 2012 Olympic champion Gabby Douglas, six-time Olympic medalist Aly Raisman and two-time medalist McKayla Maroney, say they were abused by Nassar.
Nassar has already been sentenced to 60 years in federal prison on child pornography crimes and is awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to molesting girls at Michigan State University and his home.
The Karolyi Ranch was created by legendary gymnastics coaches Bella and Marta Karolyi and has been the training site for the U.S. national team since 2001 and the Olympic team since 2011.
A new, permanent training location has not been determined.
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