2:26 PM PT — Former ballerina Grace French, who was molested by Nassar at a young age, says she fully understands the emotion Biles went through while bringing up old, painful memories during her testimony Wednesday.
“It brings up a lot each time that this happens,” Grace told Harvey and Charles on “TMZ Live.” “Even if you aren’t there or you aren’t testifying yourself.”
Grace explained she’s hoping Biles — and the other women — who spoke in D.C. can finally help bring about some accountability when it comes to sexual abuse cases.
“It’s ridiculous that the only person in jail right now is Larry Nassar when there are so many systems that were holding him up and allowing him to continue that abuse for decades,” Grace said.
“It’s not just one bad apple. It’s a system and processes and procedures that are not in place in order to protect our athletes and in order to protect our kids.”
Simone Biles broke down while testifying about Larry Nassar in front of a group of senators on Capitol Hill … choking back tears while explaining how U.S. Gymnastics and other agencies failed her and other abuse victims.
Biles, along with fellow former USA gymnasts McKayla Maroney, Maggie Nichols and Aly Raisman, told their stories in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee in Washington D.C. on Thursday … and understandably, it’s still an incredibly difficult topic to discuss.
“I am also a survivor of sexual abuse,” Simone opened her statement, continuing, “and I believe without a doubt that the circumstances that led to my abuse and allowed it to continue are directly the result that organizations created by Congress to oversee and protect me as an athlete, USA Gymnastics and the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee failed to do their jobs.”
Biles then quoted Nelson Mandela, before getting emotional while saying she never wanted another child to endure abuse.
Of course, Nassar was convicted of sexually abusing hundreds of women and girls … and effectively received life in prison — getting sentenced to 175 years behind bars.
But, the hearing wasn’t directly about Nassar’s deplorable behavior … it was held to discuss the FBI’s failures with respect to their investigation into the team USA doctor, after a government watchdog group concluded the country’s top federal law enforcement agency didn’t adequately respond to the allegations.
And, the gymnasts didn’t hold back when taking on the bureau.
“We suffered and continue to suffer because no one at FBI, [U.S. Gymnastics] or the [USOC] did what was necessary to protect us,” Biles told the committee.
“We have been failed and we deserve answers. Nassar is where he belongs, but those who enabled him deserve to be held accountable. If they are not, I am convinced that this will continue to happen to others across Olympic sports.”
“This is the largest case of sexual abuse in the history of American sport,” Biles told the committee, adding, “It truly feels like the FBI turned a blind eye to us.”
Maroney also went in on the FBI, saying … “They had legal, legitimate evidence of child abuse and did nothing.”
The U.S. gymnasts are still testifying on Capitol Hill.
As for Nassar, he’s rotting in prison … where he will remain for the rest of his life.
Originally Published — 9:18 AM PT
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