Athlete A

[MsProudSooner]

"Athlete A" is a Netflix documentary about the sexual abuse of USA women gymnasts by Dr. Larry Nassar and the coverup of his actions by the USA Gymnastics organization.

Maggie Nichols, who finished her gymnastics career at OU this year, is Athlete A. Kudos to Maggie and all of the other young women who had the courage to come forward. I'm thrilled that Maggie was able to finish her gymnastics career as the champion she's always been. It's obvious from the documentary that USA Gymnastics retaliated against Maggie for reporting Nassar. The Olympic team consists of 5 gymnasts and 3 alternates. Maggie finished the Olympic trials in the 6th position due to a knee injury suffered a few weeks before. She had been second to Simone Biles for most of the year previous to the injury. But she wasn't even named as an alternate. Maggie's mother said that Maggie learned to love gymnastics again at OU and learned that the coaches don't have to be cruel. She specifically said that the medical staff had been great. It's too bad that her senior season was cut short by Covid-19.

Anyone who cares about the wellbeing of these young women owes a huge debt of gratitude to The Indianapolis Star. Journalism is tough these days and they did it the right way.

 

[TheMont]

Athlete A was very well done IMO.

Maggie is an incredible athlete who is mature beyond her years. It is deeply wrong and unfair that she had her innocence, the Olympics and her senior postseason all taken from her.

She has been nothing but a great endorsement for the university and there should be plans to put a statue of her on campus.

 

[sooner8693]

For anyone that has not seen this special, it is a MUST see. It is extremely well done covering the entire sexual abuse scandal by the USA women's gymnastics organization, but also including the individuals that first reported the abuse. The very first was OUr Maggie Nichols. It focuses on her role in uncovering the abuse and coverup. It gives the OU program great kudos for how it helped her get back to the sport she loved. The University of Oklahoma needs to build a monument or statue of Maggie for what this young lady has endured in the sport as well as out and for what she has done for OU. It is a powerful powerful powerful piece. Please take 2 hours to see it.

 

[gwydion]

My take was that Maggie wasn't the first to report, but she was the first to actually put her name along with parent's on an official complaint, which meant USAG was forced to investigate. Previous complaints had been anonymous and those were ignored. USAG's investigation was in name only, they we trying to keep it hushed up. The first complaints happened in the late 90s I think. I want to say unbelievable they would allow it to go on all for the sake of medals. We were no better than the Russias and Romanias and many other countries. Exploit to get a medal.

 

[j2d2]

I have Hulu and dont think I can watch it.

 

[MsProudSooner]

I have Hulu and dont think I can watch it.

You have to have NETFLIX.

 

[Speedy17]

My take was that Maggie wasn't the first to report, but she was the first to actually put her name along with parent's on an official complaint, which meant USAG was forced to investigate. Previous complaints had been anonymous and those were ignored. USAG's investigation was in name only, they we trying to keep it hushed up. The first complaints happened in the late 90s I think. I want to say unbelievable they would allow it to go on all for the sake of medals. We were no better than the Russias and Romanias and many other countries. Exploit to get a medal.

She was definitely the first active gymnast to report and her family took it to the FBI (who did nothing). It cost her big time, her place on the 2016 U. S. Olympic team.