Former US Gymnast Alleges Sexual Assault by Team Doctor

A lawsuit filed in California Superior Court on Thursday levied serious allegations against a former USA Gymnastics doctor, as well as famed coaches Bela and Marta Karolyi. 

According to ESPN.com's John Barr, a former United States gymnast who competed with the team from 2004 to 2010 alleged in the suit that Dr. Larry Nassar sexually assaulted her during medical exams.

Furthermore, the gymnast—identified in the suit as Jane Doe—alleged the Karolyis had "wide-ranging knowledge" but ignored it.   

Citing filings, Barr reported the abuse is alleged to have occurred at the Karolyi Ranch located in Huntsville, Texas: 

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According to the suit, the doctor told her about "the need to do an 'intravaginal adjustment,' a fictitious guise where Nassar would digitally penetrate Plaintiff's vagina in order to adjust her bones. This 'intravaginal adjustment' was done without gloves, lubricant, and/or a chaperone, and was done for [Nassar's] own sexual gratification.

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Additionally, the Karolyis are accused in the lawsuit of physically abusing and verbally denigrating gymnasts, as well as depriving them of food and water. 

In a statement released Thursday, USA Gymnastics refuted the claims made in the lawsuit: 

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USA Gymnastics denies the allegations against it in this latest lawsuit. As we have made clear, when USA Gymnastics first learned of athlete concerns regarding Dr. Nassar, we dismissed him from further involvement and reported those concerns to the FBI. Still, the allegations that have been made are troubling. USA Gymnastics is committed to promoting a safe environment for our athletes. Due to the pending litigation and ongoing investigation, however, we are unable to comment further.

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Thursday's filing comes on the heels of two former gymnasts' claims of sexual abuse from Nassar, one resulting in a civil lawsuit. 

According to the Indianapolis Star's Mark Alesia, Marisa Kwiatkowski and Tim Evans, the gymnasts said they were sexually assaulted by Nassar during scheduled treatments. Specifically, the "two women said the doctor fondled their genitals and breasts," according to the report. 

Since the initial allegations were levied against Nassar, the Indianapolis Star reported more than 30 people have spoken out and accused the doctor of sexual abuse. 

According to Barr, USA Gymnastics fired Nassar in 2015 following complaints of sexual misconduct. 

"Immediately after learning of athlete concerns about Dr. Nassar in the summer of 2015, Steve Penny, president and CEO of USA Gymnastics, notified law enforcement," USA Gymnastics said in a September statement, per Barr. "We also relieved Dr. Nassar of his duties, and he ceased to be affiliated with USA Gymnastics."