USA Gymnastics statement following today’s Board of Directors meeting

INDIANAPOLIS, March 16, 2017 — Earlier today, the USA Gymnastics Board of Directors accepted Steve Penny’s resignation as president and CEO of USA Gymnastics, effective March 16.

Penny informed the Board of his decision to resign during a Board conference call that was originally scheduled to fill a Board vacancy and to consider amendments to the Bylaws pertaining to the U.S. Center for SafeSport. The agenda was expanded after the USOC notified USA Gymnastics that its Board of Directors had discussed the recent attention on the organization’s challenges regarding sexual misconduct.

USA Gymnastics will initiate a national search for a new president and CEO. In the interim, Board Chair Paul Parilla will guide the organization’s operations and move forward the initiatives currently in progress to strengthen and refine its policies and procedures for handling sexual misconduct, including the ongoing, independent evaluation by Deborah Daniels that is expected to be completed this spring.

The Board also approved the amendments to the Bylaws, and the announcement of the new Board members will be provided separately.

Paul Parilla, USA Gymnastics Board of Directors chairman:
“We have accepted Steve’s resignation and want to thank him for his contributions and dedication to USA Gymnastics over the years.

“The Board believes this change in leadership will help USA Gymnastics face its current challenges and implement solutions to move the organization forward in promoting a safe environment for its athletes at all levels.

“USA Gymnastics and the entire gymnastics community must work together to focus on keeping athletes safe. We believe Ms. Daniels’ recommendations will identify areas where we can strengthen and refine how we handle sexual misconduct as an organization, expand our efforts to educate the entire community, including parents and athletes, about what to watch for and what to do if they suspect abuse is happening. Everyone can be an active and vigilant participant for this to be effective, not only in gymnastics but also the Olympic movement as a whole."