Another Head Rolls at USA Gymnastics

Kerry Perry resigned under pressure as USA Gymnastics president Tuesday, the move coming days after the US Olympic Committee questioned her ability to lead a path forward for an organization rocked by scandal. Perry spent nine months on the job and repeatedly came under scrutiny by athletes who felt she was mishandling the fallout from the tumult surrounding disgraced former team doctor Larry Nassar. Perry, a former communications executive with no background in gymnastics, became president of USA Gymnastics last December, reports the AP. She stressed her focus would be on "creating an environment of empowerment where all have a strong voice and we are dedicated every single day to athlete safety."

The USOC has expressed disappointment following the botched hiring—and then firing—of USA Gymnastics' elite development coordinator. The coach, Mary Lee Tracy, was an early supporter of Nassar when allegations against him began to surface two years ago. After the announcement of her promotion, Tracy made an attempt to reach out to six-time Olympic medalist Aly Raisman, who is among the hundreds of women abused by Nassar. USA Gymnastics responded by asking Tracy for her resignation. While the request was done in the interest of protecting USA Gymnastics from a legal standpoint—Raisman has filed a lawsuit against USA Gymnastics—it also served as another in an increasingly long line of public relations pratfalls by one of the crown jewels of the US Olympic movement. The AP has more on Perry, who kept a low profile during her brief tenure.

(More USA Gymnastics stories.)