US gymnastics coach Larry Nassar sentenced for assaulting female gymnasts

LANSING, Mich. –One of the first athletes to accuse Larry Nassar of sexual assault confronted him Wednesday in a Michigan courtroom where the former sports doctor was due to the sentenced for years of molesting Olympic gymnasts and other young women.

The last of more than 150 victims to offer statements at Nassar’s sentencing hearing was a Kentucky lawyer who stepped forward in 2016 after USA Gymnastics was accused of mishandling complaints of sexual assault.Rachael Denhollander said Nassar groped, fondled and penetrated her with his hands when she was a 15-year-old gymnast in Michigan. Denhollander’s statements to Michigan State University police put the criminal investigation in high gear in 2016.

“You have become a man ruled by selfish and perverted desires,” she told Nassar, who worked at the university and USA Gymnastics, the sport’s governing body, which also trains Olympians.

Nassar faces a minimum prison term of 25 to 40 years when he is sentenced later Wednesday by Judge Rosemarie Aquilina.

The sentence will cap a remarkable seven-day hearing that has given the girls, young women and their parents a chance to confront the doctor in court.

Nassar, 54, pleaded guilty to assaulting seven people in the Lansing area, but the sentencing hearing has been open to anyone who said they were a victim. His accusers said he would use his ungloved hands to penetrate them, often without explanation, while they were on a table seeking help for various injuries.

The accusers, many of whom were children, said they trusted Nassar to care for them properly, were in denial about what was happening or were afraid to speak up. He sometimes used a sheet or his body to block the view of any parent in the room.

“I’d been told during my entire gymnastics career to not question authority,” a former elite gymnast, Isabell Hutchins, said Tuesday.

The judge is likely to be unsparing in her treatment of Nassar. Aquilina has praised the victims who have appeared in her court since Jan. 16, calling them “sister survivors,” while also assuring them that their perpetrator will pay. The women have included Olympians Aly Raisman, Jordyn Wieber and McKayla Maroney.

“Your words are vital. They are as strong as your martial arts,” Aquilina told Christina Barba, who has known Nassar for decades and practices karate. “They will take him down quicker and cleaner than any kick you’ve got.”

Hutchins and Mattie Larson, a former national gymnast, talked about how Nassar won their allegiance with candy, Olympic trinkets and encouraging words while they were under constant scrutiny from their demanding coaches.

Brooke Hylek, a gymnast who plans to compete in college, heaped scorn on Nassar.

“I cannot believe I ever trusted you, and I will never forgive you,” she said Tuesday. “I’m happy you will be spending the rest of your life in prison. Enjoy hell by the way.”

Emily Morales had a softer message.

“I want you to apologize to me right here,” the 18-year-old told Nassar. “I want to forgive you, but I also want to hear you tell me that you regret all the hurting you caused.”

He did. She replied with, “Thank you.”

Nassar has already been sentenced to 60 years in federal prison for child pornography crimes. He is scheduled to be sentenced next week on more assault convictions in Eaton County, Michigan.

AP

Paralympics – Para athlete of UAE Abdullah Hayayei passes away in London

London: The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) is deeply saddened to announce the death of United Arab Emirates (UAE) Para athlete Abdullah Hayayei following a training ground incident this evening (11 July) in London, Great Britain.

Hayayei, 36, a thrower in the F34 class, was training at Newham Leisure Centre in preparation for the World Para Athletics Championships London 2017 which open on Friday when the incident took place.

Emergency services were called shortly after 17:00 to reports of a seriously injured man. Police, London Ambulance Service and London’s Air Ambulance attended the scene.  At 17:20 the athlete was pronounced dead at the scene.
The athlete’s family who are in the UAE have been informed of his death and the UAE team were brought together at the team hotel to be informed of the tragic news.

Sir Philip Craven, IPC President, said: “We are all truly devastated by this tragic news and the passing of Abdullah. The thoughts, prayers and condolences of the whole Paralympic Movement are with Abdullah’s family, friends and teammates as well as the whole of the National Paralympic Committee of the UAE.  We are all in state of shock at this terrible tragedy.”

Ed Warner, Co-chair of London 2017, said: “This is a devastating event and everyone within the London 2017 Organising Committee is shocked and saddened.  Our thoughts and prayers are with all of Abdullah’s family and teammates at what is undoubtedly a very difficult time for them.  We will be working closely with all the competitors and teams over the days ahead to offer support wherever it is needed.”

Sir Robin Wales, Mayor of Newham said: “The whole of Newham will be saddened by this tragic incident. All our thoughts of course are with the family of Abdullah Hayayei at this time.”

Chelsey Gotell, Chairperson of the IPC Athletes’ Council said: “The IPC Athlete Council is devastated to hear about the passing of Abdullah Hayayei.

“As the Paralympic athlete community, we come together to celebrate the joy of sport but we also come together as a family to mourn during the most difficult of times. On belief of all Paralympic athletes, we would like to extend our unwavering love and support to his family, teammates, friends and the NPC of the United Arab Emirates.”

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have been informed about the incident.
Last September, Hayayei made his Paralympic debut at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.  He finished sixth in the javelin F34 and seventh in shot put F34.

London 2017 was to be Hayayei’s second World Championships. At the 2015 event in Doha, Qatar, he finished fifth in the discus F34 and eighth in shot put F34.  He was set to compete in the shot put, discus and javelin F34 events.
During Friday’s Opening Ceremony at the London Stadium a moment of silence will be held in honour of Hayayei’s death.

Agitos Foundation receives Vivir sin Limites award

Mexico, USA: The Agitos Foundation was honoured with the 2016 Latin American Vivir sin Limites award from the Mexican National Commission of Physical Culture and Sport (CONADE) and the Unidos por la Capacidad Foundation at a ceremony in Mexico City on 2 December, in recognition of its efforts to develop Para sports in Latin America.

To maximise the impact of the region’s first Paralympic Games, the Agitos Foundation partnered with the Rio 2016 Organising Committee to launch the Road to Rio 2016: Agitos Foundation Sessions in April 2015.

Over 300 coaches, classifiers, managers and athletes were identified and trained, including eight different Latin American Para athletes whose remarkable stories were told in a series of videos launched in July to publicise their journey to the Games.

“The Agitos Foundation has been working very hard to raise awareness of Para sports in Latin America and we felt that needed to be recognised,” said Unidos por la Capacidad Foundation President Luis Cordova.

“I was in Cuba attending one of the workshops and could witness the impact the Agitos Foundation has on many people from many different countries, changing their lives.

“Without an organisation like the Agitos Foundation, it would be very hard to achieve this huge development, as it could be seen at Rio 2016. Latin America is greatly supported by it.”

Jose Cabo, the manager of the Road to Rio 2016: Agitos Foundation Sessions, received the award. He said: “The Agitos Foundation is hugely honoured to be recognised by CONADE and the Unidos por la Capacidad Foundation in this way. But we are even more delighted to have left a lasting legacy across the Americas with the help of Rio 2016 and the Brazilian National Paralympic Committee.

“The video series raised public awareness of some of the region’s best athletes, with extracts shown on national television in more than 10 countries in Latin America. We are continuing to partner with Organising Committees to ensure the growth of Para sport around the world.”

The National Paralympic Committees of Brazil, Cuba, Mexico and Colombia were also recognised at the ceremony due to their outstanding performances at September’s Paralympic Games.

The host nation claimed 14 golds, 29 silvers and 29 bronzes to finish eighth in the medals table. Cuba was the second most decorated Latin American country with 15 medals overall, including eight golds, followed by Mexico (15 with four golds).

Colombia rounded off their best Paralympic performance ever in Rio, winning 15 more medals than four years ago in London, Great Britain, and sealing a Paralympic title again after 36 years.

For its unprecedented coverage of Rio 2016, Latin America’s official broadcaster Claro Sports was also honoured, whilst Paralympic champions Daniel Dias of Brazil, Cuba’s Omara Durand, Colombia’s Carlos Serrano and Mexico’s Amalia Perez were some of the award-winning Para athletes.