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HUNTSVILLE, TX - JANUARY 26: Steve Penny, President of USA Gymnastics welcomes guests and media and to announce the USOC designation of the USA Gymnastics National Training Center at Karolyi Ranch as an Official U.S. Olympic Training Site and Hilton's partnership with USA Gynastics and title sponsorship of Team Hilton on January 26, 2011 in Huntsville, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images for Hilton)
HUNTSVILLE, TX - JANUARY 26: Steve Penny, President of USA Gymnastics welcomes guests and media and to announce the USOC designation of the USA Gymnastics National Training Center at Karolyi Ranch as an Official U.S. Olympic Training Site and Hilton's partnership with USA Gynastics and title sponsorship of Team Hilton on January 26, 2011 in Huntsville, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images for Hilton)Bob Levey/Getty Images

USA Gymnastics CEO Steve Penny Resigns Amid Sexual Abuse Scandal

Mike Chiari
Mar 16, 2017

Steve Penny resigned Thursday asย president and CEO of USA Gymnastics amid criticism for his handling of a wide-ranging sexual abuse scandal.

According to Nancy Armour and Rachel Axon ofย USA Today, Penny's resignation came after theย Indianapolis Starย reported more than 360 cases of sexual abuse allegations by gymnasts against coaches over the past two decades.

Penny and USA Gymnastics released the following statement upon resigning, according toย Armour and Axon:ย "It has been heartbreaking to learn of instances of abuse and it sickens me that young athletes would be exploited in such a manner. My decision to step aside as CEO is solely to support the best interests of USA Gymnastics at this time"

Penny has presided over USA Gymnastics since 2005, but a group within the governing body recently called for his resignation in an effort to make progress in the fight against sexual abuse in the sport, perย Christine Brennanย ofย USA Today.

The most high-profileย sexual abuse caseย is that of former USA Gymnastics physician Larry Nassar, who was arraigned on 22 sexual assault charges in February and now faces 25 in total involving girls who were 16 years of age or younger.

USA Gymnastics is facing at least four lawsuits in relation to Nassar with Penny being listed as a defendant in three of them, perย Armour and Axon.

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