Liukin steps down as US women's gymnastics team coordinator
The coordinator of the women's national team for USA Gymnastics has stepped down, the latest departure to rock the embattled organization in the wake of a sexual abuse scandal centered on former team doctor Larry Nassar.
Valeri Liukin made the announcement on Friday, less than 18 months after taking over for Martha Karolyi in September 2016.
Liukin said in a statement that while he wanted to help turn the program around, "the present climate causes me, and more importantly my family, far too much stress, difficulty and uncertainty."
USA Gymnastics thanked for "for his dedication and contributions to the sport of gymnastics" and said it will begin the search for his replacement immediately. Liukin's decision came just days after the USA Gymnastics board of directors stepped down under pressure from the United States Olympic committee.
Read more: https://wintergames.ap.org/timesrecord/article/liukin-steps-down-us-womens-gymnastics-team-coordinator