Legendary gymnast Nadia Comaneci has called for "drastic changes" at USA Gymnastics, which has been rocked by a scandal involving its longtime doctor sexually abusing young athletes.
Olympic champions like Simone Biles and Aly Raisman have accused the federation and the US Olympic Committee of failing for years to act on complaints and protect athletes.
USA Gymnastics' board resigned last week under pressure from the USOC, and investigations are under way into both organisations.
"Drastic changes are needed at the USA Gymnastics and rules need to be implemented for the safety of all athletes," Comaneci, 56, said, without spelling out what kind of changes she thought should be made.
Comaneci said she was speaking as an outsider who cares about the safety of children.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
"I can only say that definitely a change is needed, a change that prioritises first the kids' safety," said the nine-time Olympic medallist.
54-year-old Larry Nassar was sentenced last week in a Michigan courtroom to up to 175 years in prison for sexually abusing female gymnasts under the guise of medical treatment.
He is scheduled to be sentenced on similar charges later this week.
"I am so sorry for the young ladies that have been abused and I admire their courage to speak out," said Comaneci, who made history when she became the first gymnast to score a perfect 10 at the Olympics for her native Romania at the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games.
Comaneci, who defected to the United States in 1989 just before the Romanian revolution overthrew dictator Nicolae Ceaucescu, now runs a gymnastics academy in Oklahoma with her husband, Bart Conner, a US gold medal-winning gymnast.
Comaneci, who was 14 years old when she won three gold medals in 1976 and went on to earn two more golds in Moscow four years later, said she believes the focus should be on Nassar's victims.
"It is important that they get justice and all the support they need," she said. "Parents should know that at all time their kids are safe in any sports environment."
