I think my decision might have been different (otherwise).”, 365 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3L4. Over time they realized their experience mirrored those of hundreds of other women who were abused by Nassar under the guise of treatment. United States' Madison Kocian, displays her silver medal for the uneven bars during the artistic gymnastics women's apparatus final at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Aug. 14, 2016. tap here to see other videos from our team. "And it's been saddening to know that a lot of gymnasts have gone through this event and they have not reached out and seen how we're doing as people, not as just athletes, but as individuals who grew up in this sport.". Olympians speak out on Larry Nassar abuse First on "CBS This Morning," gymnasts and Olympic gold medalists Kyla Ross and Madison Kocian are … Stream CBSN live or on demand for FREE on your TV, computer, tablet, or smartphone. “Even to this day have heard nothing support wise from them. They place part of the blame for their abuse on what they described as a toxic culture around the USA Gymnastics elite program that allowed Nassar’s treatment to run unchecked. © 2018 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. Now we’re just trying to find our voice and help.”. And that's what led him to be able to abuse us.". Or he would just kind of be the person that would always ask, 'how are you doing?' I’ve come to the point in my life this is something I want to share my story and move on,” Ross told the Associated Press. Both women, now 21, stepped away from elite competition following the 2016 Olympics. "The USA Gymnastics was more concerned in protecting Martha Karolyi than checking in on our children," Kondos Field said. Olympic gymnasts Kyla Ross, Madison Kocian: Larry Nassar abused us. Ross and Kocian both leaned on her before deciding to join the army of survivors. “I don’t think enough has been changed from the coaching standpoint. All five members of the 2012 Olympic team Ross, Wieber, Aly Raisman, Gabby Douglas and McKayla Maroney have revealed they were abused by Nassar. Ross and Kocian both leaned on her before deciding to join the army of survivors. Olympic champions have detailed abuse at hands of physician, Kocian and Ross, retired from elite level, are UCLA teammates, Ross becomes fifth member of Fierce Five champs to go public. All five members of the 2012 Olympic team — Ross, Wieber, Aly Raisman, Gabby Douglas and McKayla Maroney — have revealed they were abused by Nassar. They said – they looked at me like I was crazy. "They were so isolated at the ranch. Why? “Possibly if maybe more people had reached out to my parents to see if I was OK when so many people knew about this and they went through whole Olympic Games knowing and not doing anything,” Kocian said. Kocian won a silver medal on the uneven bars as a member of the 2016 Olympic team. Olympians speak out on Larry Nassar abuse. "And he would on international trips, he would bring us food. They both say they were in denial about their abuse. “Everyone copes in their own way,” said Ross, a member of the Fierce Five that stormed to gold at the 2012 Olympics. Kocian or Ross, who helped UCLA to an NCAA title last spring, have no plans to return to elite competition. Kyla Ross And Madison Kocian Are The Latest Olympic Gymnasts To Speak Out About Larry Nassar's Abuse Both women, now 21, stepped away from elite competition following the 2016 Olympics. The turning point came in January as they watched nearly 200 women come forward to read victim impact statements to Nassar. It took months for them to process and even longer to go public. They said because she wins, Val. “Just seeing the process through her view had helped me find my voice and be confident in myself and realize I was a victim,” Ross said. “You live under a fear of not being able to speak up because this was our only avenue to accomplish our dreams and make the Olympic team,” Kocian told the AP. Kocian felt she and her teammates were “voiceless” thanks in part to the tone set by former national team coordinator Martha Karolyi. Copyright © 2020 CBS Interactive Inc.All rights reserved. Ross and Kocian have both filed civil lawsuits against Michigan State — where Nassar worked for decades — and plan to do the same against the United States Olympic Committee and USA Gymnastics. Nassar is serving up to 235 years in prison after he was found guilty of sexually abusing athletes in his care for decades. Until she stood in front of Nassar, Wieber had never spoken publicly about her abuse. “But we don’t want to be viewed as victims. I think my decision might have been different (otherwise).”, Available for everyone, funded by readers. The more their Olympic teammates talked, the more Kocian and Ross began to examine their own interactions with Nassar. “There are still people at the top that I feel have overseen this issue for a long time and I think that needs to be changed as well as the whole culture around everything,” Kocian said. ", USA Gymnastics told CBS News in a statement: "USA Gymnastics support is unwavering for Kyla, Madison and all athletes who courageously came forward to share their experiences. Read more about cookies here. “But we don’t want to be viewed as victims. The turning point came in January as they watched nearly 200 women come forward to read victim impact statements to Nassar. Kocian is the fourth member of the 2016 Olympic team to come forward, joining Raisman, Douglas and Simone Biles. Because the culture that was at the Karolyi Ranch was a culture of fear, a culture of silence. Kocian described a lack of empathy from USA Gymnastics throughout her career as part of the problem. “It doesn’t matter how old you are and what happens to you. © 2020 Canoe.com, a division of Postmedia Network Inc. All rights reserved. “Even to this day have heard nothing support wise from them. It took months for them to process and even longer to go public. There are still coaches under that abusive style of coaching whether it’s verbal abuse, that’s what enables all of this.”, USA Gymnastics said in a statement it is “heartbroken” that Ross and Kocian are among Nassar’s victims, adding “their powerful voices and stories will continue to be a basis for our future decisions.”. Aug 19, 5:16 PM. Ross described getting a “pit” in her stomach every time she visited the Karolyi Ranch near Houston that served as the longtime training home for the senior national team. Until she stood in front of Nassar, Wieber had never spoken publicly about her abuse. Thu 16 Aug 2018 14.34 BST Their powerful voices and stories will continue to be a basis for our future decisions. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. There are still coaches under that abusive style of coaching whether it’s verbal abuse, that’s what enables all of this.”, USA Gymnastics said in a statement it is “heartbroken” that Ross and Kocian are among Nassar’s victims, adding “their powerful voices and stories will continue to be a basis for our future decisions.”. Unauthorized distribution, transmission or republication strictly prohibited. Olympic gold-medal-winning gymnasts Kyla Ross and Madison Kocian say they are among the sexual abuse survivors of disgraced former USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar. Kocian felt she and her teammates were “voiceless” thanks in part to the tone set by former national team co-ordinator Martha Karolyi. Kyla Ross became the fifth member of the Fierce Five, the US gymnastics team which captured team gold at the London Olympics, to detail sexual abuse at the hands of Larry Nassar. “It doesn’t matter how old you are and what happens to you. You didn't question Martha," Kondos Field said. Now we’re just trying to find our voice and help.”. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. CBS News reached out to the Karolyis, who responded, "No comment." This is something we have to grow through. They place part of the blame for their abuse on what they described as a toxic culture around the USA Gymnastics elite program that allowed Nassar’s treatment to run unchecked. They both say they were in denial about their abuse. “Possibly if maybe more people had reached out to my parents to see if I was OK when so many people knew about this and they went through whole Olympic Games knowing and not doing anything,” Kocian said. Ross and Kocian, a member of the Final Five that won team gold at the 2016 Olympics, have retired from elite gymnastics and now compete collegiately as teammates at UCLA. Ross competed in the 2012 Olympics as a member of the famous "Fierce Five," winning a team gold medal. The Karolyis previously denied any knowledge of the abuse allegations until the summer of 2016. “Just seeing the process through her view had helped me find my voice and be confident in myself and realize I was a victim,” Ross said. This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Kocian described a lack of empathy from USA Gymnastics throughout her career as part of the problem. Karolyi retired in 2016. Watch CBS News anytime, anywhere with the our 24/7 digital news network. We apologize, but this video has failed to load. Kocian or Ross, who helped UCLA to an NCAA title last spring, have no plans to return to elite competition. Ross and Kocian have both filed civil lawsuits against Michigan State where Nassar worked for decades and plan to do the same against the United States Olympic Committee and USA Gymnastics. “You live under a fear of not being able to speak up because this was our only avenue to accomplish our dreams and make the Olympic team,” Kocian told the AP.