Jordyn Wieber’s statement on testifying at Larry Nasser’s sentencing hearing on Friday. (Courtesy Twitter/@Jordyn_Wieber)
Jordyn Wieber, one of the most decorated gymnasts in U.S. history, read a victim impact statement on the fourth day of former U.S. Olympic and USA Gymnastics team physician Larry Nassar‘s sentencing hearing Friday, publicly confirming for the first time that she was a victim of Nassar’s sexual abuse.
Wieber was a member of the gold-medal-winning “Fierce Five” at the 2012 London Olympics and the 2015 World all-around champion. She is now a volunteer assistant coach with the UCLA gymnastics team and received her degree from UCLA in 2017.
“I’m angry with myself for not recognizing the abuse and that’s something I’m struggling with today. But even though I’m a victim I do not and live not live my life as one,” Wieber said in her statement.
“I’m an Olympian. Despite being abused, I worked so hard and managed to achieve my goal, but I want everyone, especially the media, to know that despite my athletic achievements I am one of over 140 women and survivors whose story is important. Our pain is all the same and our stories all important.”
More from Wieber’s testimony Friday, when she was joined by former Olympic teammate Aly Raisman
Kind Heart
Fierce Mind
Brave Spirit
pic.twitter.com/D55mzv33sG— UCLA Gymnastics (@uclagymnastics) January 19, 2018