Laurie Hernandez says USA Gymnastics took too long to investigate abuse claims she made against her former coach Maggie Haney in her first television interview about the case.
Speaking with NBC News' 3rd Hour of TODAY on Monday, the Olympic champion, who said she suffered panic attacks due to the abuse she faced, said she first sent a complaint to USA Gymnastics in 2016 but a case wasn't opened until 2019.
Haney, 42, a Freehold, N.J., native was suspended by USA Gymnastics for eight years last month for the emotional and verbal abuse of multiple gymnasts, including Hernandez, 19, and world champion Riley McCusker.