P&G may exit USA Gymnastics sponsorship after sex abuse scandal amid #MeToo movement

Alexander Coolidge
Cincinnati Enquirer
Rachael Denhollander and other Nassar accusers attend a news conference following the sentencing.

Procter & Gamble said Thursday it may drop its sponsorship of the USA Gymnastics in the wake of a sex abuse scandal that has rocked the athletic organization.

Officials with the world's largest advertiser told The Enquirer the company has concluded its partnership with USA Gymnastics but hasn't yet decided whether to renew the relationship. Since 2008, P&G has sponsored the Indianapolis-based organization that trains and selects athletes for the Olympics and other competitions.

"Our previous partnership terms with USAG have been fulfilled," P&G spokesman Damon Jones said. "We will evaluate whether to renew our partnership next spring, in light of our longer-term priorities and continued actions on their (USA Gymnastics') part."

USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar plead guilty in Michigan in November to seven counts of sexual assault and is scheduled to be sentenced next month. He has been accused of inappropriate conduct toward 130 girls and women, including Olympic gold medalists Aly Raisman, McKayla Maroney and Gabby Douglas.

Earlier this month, Nassar was also sentenced to 60 years in prison on child pornography charges. 

More:Larry Nassar makes 7 guilty pleas, victim calls him 'master manipulator'

The scandal at USA Gymnastics comes amid a wider wave of sexual abuse and harassment complaints that have swept business, entertainment and political circles and added fuel to the #MeToo movement of women speaking out against inappropriate behavior in 2017.

"We support the actions USA Gymnastics has taken thus far, including accepting the recommendations by an independent expert and hiring a new Safe Sport Director," Jones said. "In addition, we are supportive of the broader actions taking place via the USOC Safe Sport program as well as the Federal reform proposed by Senator Feinstein and others.

"We want to ensure all voices who have been affected by abuse have been heard and that USAG takes all measures necessary to address such vitally important issues," Jones concluded.

P&G officials stressed their actions toward USA Gymnastics have no effect on the company's sponsorship of the Olympics or its multiple endorsement relationships with elite athletes, such as gold medalist Simone Biles.

Just as coach Aimee Boorman doesn't perform for gold medalist Simone Biles, politicians can't do the hard work of making America great again, a writer says.

Just last month, P&G unveiled the latest installment of its 'Thank You, Mom' advertising campaign in the runup to the Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea. Gymnastics will next be part of the Olympic competition in summer 2020 in Tokyo.