Two Olympic gymnasts will testify before members of Congress Wednesday.
Jordyn Wieber, a gold medalist and member of the "Fierce Five" USA Gymnastics team at the 2012 Olympics, and Jamie Dantzscher, a bronze medalist at the 2000 Olympics will testify before the U.S. Senate's Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety, Insurance, and Data Security at 2:30 p.m. in Washington, D.C.
The Senate subcommittee's investigation is one of several ongoing federal inquiries inspired by the Larry Nassar case.
Wednesday's hearing will focus on how national governing bodies can do better to protect athletes from abuse.
“This week’s hearing is a critical step forward in our investigation into the serious systemic abuses across generations of young athletes,” said U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal, D-Connecticut, the subcommittee’s ranking member.
Dantzscher was one of the first women to publicly accuse Nassar of sexual abuse when she was featured with Rachael Denhollander in a story published by the Indianapolis Star in 2016.
During Nassar's sentencing hearing in Ingham County back in January, Dantzscher testified she has suffered from anorexia, bulimia, depression and even suicidal thoughts because of her pain from Nassar's abuse.
Wieber's testimony will come a day after her attorney filed a a lawsuit against USA Gymnastics and Michigan State University.
Wieber and Dantszher are not the only Olympians testifying before the Senate subcommittee Wednesday.
Speedskater Bridie Farrel and figure skater Craig Maurizi will be in Washington, D.C. as well, both have said they were abused by a mentor or coach while competing in their sport.
“As part of the subcommittee’s ongoing investigation, we have invited athletes representing multiple sports to testify at our first hearing,” said U.S. Senator Jerry Moran, R-Kansas, who is the chairman of the Senate subcommittee. “We appreciate the willingness of these athletes – who share in our determination to root out abuse in youth sport governing bodies – to share their stories and aid in our investigation to protect all USOC athletes, at all levels, in all sports,” Moran said.
“Former gymnasts and their families sat down with me and Chairman Moran to share their deeply personal stories, further underscoring the urgency of rooting out appalling abuse in amateur sports. I continue to be in awe of the incredible bravery of the athletes who have spoken out to help advance this investigation – and to ensure no child athlete has to suffer again," Blumenthal said.
