Miriam Perez yeah Laurie has that special personality

She's 16 years old. Gymnastics is all she's ever known. Team USA is a huge part of her life. Sexual abuse is not an easy topic for anyone, especially as sheltered as Laurie has been (many elite gymnasts are sheltered because of their lifestyle - I'm not saying it is a good or bad thing). I'm 22 and have a professional membership with USAG, but I'm only known in coaching communities, specifically in my state. It's hard enough for me (and quite frankly other coaches too) to know what the "right" thing is to say. The larger USAG community is generally shocked. The amount of gymnasts in USAG programs is astounding and only a select fraction make it to elite and even fewer have the chance to be a part of the national team and team training center. How the hell is a 16 year old girl supposed to comment on something ADULTS are bringing forth. Those adults coming forth were once as young as Laurie and they didn't talk about it then either. I can't even begin to imagine the pressure on Laurie to say the right thing and do the right thing. I think she handled the pressure of that question, the best way she could.

Thanks for your response. I appreciate the dialogue. My comment wasn't meant as an attack on Laurie. I understand she's young and has most likely lived under the bubble of USA gymnastics. It's sad to think they may be scared of repercussions while their still in the sport. Even Shawn Johnson who is retired and super outspoken on her KZfaq channel brushes the topic aside. But I guess we know where they learned that from - comes from the top. I've only heard Nastia give s thoughtful response.

Not sure what country you are from, but in the US society, sexual abuse, etc., is a taboo subject. I wish it weren't, but it is. I do not believe the gymnasts are scared of repercussions of speaking out - most are very young. It's unusual for there to be women's elite gymnasts outside of their teen years. I believe that makes the issue even more difficult for current gymnasts to comment on the situation. Dominique Moceanu has been very outspoken about the whole thing.

I'm from the US. I have to respectfully disagree. I think we underestimate today's youth and their ability to understand and articulate their opinions. I think the political climate is of protests and marches and been "cool" to be outspoken about what you believe in and what you are against. Once again, I'm not expecting details or for anyone asked to share their own PERSONAL experience - maybe I'm naive but I don't see the difficulty in simply stating "It's a terrible thing these girls experienced. I hope (or trust) it being carefully examined to prevent any risk of it happening in the future" I understand saying that puts them in the position of being questioned more about what they know or have heard. At that point it's appropriate to politely change the topic. I don't know, I just feel like if I were one of these girls speaking out I'd want my teammates, colleagues supporting me with a small statement instead of pretending it didn't happen at all. Glad to hear Dominique is speaking out.

I understand your viewpoint, but protests and marches are very different to something such as this. Protests and marches typically involve large (relatively) crowds and no one person (except perhaps the "organizers") is in the spotlight. There is safety in numbers. I'm not underestimating their ability to understand - there are many young adults (not so sure about adolescents in their teen years) who do speak out, not because it's "cool", but because it matters to them. A lot of times there is a personal connection based on experience or relation (as in "they know someone who"). The other big difference here is that a lot of "speaking out" is done through social media platforms, not in the spotlight on tv. I do believe we would see far less outspoken people if social media didn't exist and the only way to show support is to be interviewed in front of tens of thousands of people on tv, without the safety of others. Also, I wouldn't say those who do not make a public statement are pretending it didn't happen at all. I suspect that "avoiding the question" is a result of not wanting to say the wrong thing - for all parties involved, especially the (un-named gymnasts, correct?). If I were to be questioned as to that, I might perhaps make a statement, however nobody can truly know what they would say in that moment, without actually having been in that moment. Hindsight is 20/20.

Ella Dickenson Laurie is 16, give her a break. They don't want to talk about then that is their decision. No matter what people seem to criticize them, if they talk then they get backlash, if they don't talk they get backlash. They don't need to talk about something if they don't want too

Unless too have been in their position and they work hard for this sport, tyou don't have a right to judge them at all. They have worked day and night a lot and they do a lot of things to ensure they perform at their best. Don't try and degrade Aly. She's doing something that she enjoys and they both deserve the respect. Period. Nothing nice to say then don't say anything. Now do one already.