USA Gymnastics president Steve Penny denied an Indianapolis Star report Thursday on the eve of the Rio Olympics saying organization leaders have failed to report sexual abuse by predator coaches.
The newspaper found multiple examples of children being abused despite numerous warnings from USA Gymnastics, including a coach preying upon young girls in Georgia for seven years after the first of four warnings against a coach was dismissed.
"Addressing issues of sexual misconduct has been important to USA Gymnastics for many years, and the organization is committed to promoting a safe environment for its athletes," Penny said in a statement.