Aside from Netflix’s vast array of fictional films and series, the streaming service thrives in its powerful productions of biographical documentaries, most recently delving into the darker side of USA Gymnastics with Athlete A.
Content Warning: This article contains discussion surrounding sexual assault
Before watching Athlete A, my prior knowledge surrounding the controversial nature of USA Gymnastics was limited to knowing only how talented the team are, and the outcome of Larry Nassar’s sentencing.
Larry Nassar acted as the USA Gymnastics team doctor for 29 years, before being convicted of sexual assault charges spanning several decades against some of America’s greatest gymnasts. Before being incarcerated as a result, this documentary exposes how USA Gymnastics tried to cover up the accusations made by gymnast Maggie Nichols (known as Athlete A in all legal documents) in 2015, who was subsequently denied a place on the national Olympics team as a result of making these allegations.
Image credit: CNN
Documentary directors Bonni Cohen (The Rape of Europa) and Jon Shenk (Lost Boys of Sudan) navigate their way through Nichols’ accusations against Nassar, previous experiences of other gymnasts dating back to the early 2000s, and the discovery of the case by local journalists.
This documentary demonstrates a perfect balance between the investigative journalists at the Indianapolis Star and a behind-the-scenes look at life for the USA gymnastics team at their training camp run by Béla and Márta Károlyi.
The documentary explains the complicit nature of Steve Penny – the President of USA Gymnastics – and the Károlyis, and how despite knowing about the allegations against the team’s doctor, they failed to act or report it to the relevant authorities.
This film is full of powerful and heart-breaking moments, but one of the moments that stands out as the most gut-wrenching, but empowering is when Larry Nassar’s countless victims speak up against him in court.
“You knew I was powerless. I’m here today with all these other women, not victims, but survivors, to tell you face-to-face that your days of manipulation are over. We have a voice now. We have the power now,” former Olympian gymnast Jamie Dantzscher stated in court.
Rachael Denhollander – the first gymnast to publicly accuse Nassar of sexual assault – who is now a lawyer – said: “How much priority should be placed on communicating that the fullest weight of the law will be used to protect another innocent child from the soul-shattering devastation that sexual assault brings? I submit to you that these children are worth everything.”
Whilst the remainder of the USA Gymnastics staff are still under investigation, – including Steve Penny and Béla and Márta Károlyi – Nassar received two 60 year sentences for sexual assault and the possession of pornographic images.
Athlete A is ultimately a vital watch that brings to light the damaging truth surrounding USA Gymnastics, unearthing the consequences that their complicity caused for generations of gymnastic hopefuls who found the sport disfigured by their trauma.
By Faith Pring
Feature image: Netflix