Olympic gold-medal gymnast Simone Biles of Houston has disclosed that she was sexually abused by Larry Nassar, USA Gymnastics' ex-team doctor, who has cime under a multitude of accusations in the past year.
"I too am one of the many survivors that was sexually abused," Biles said of the doctor on a tweet posted Monday.
She also stated on Twitter: "It is impossibly difficult to relive these experiences."
The personable Biles, 20, who has made numerous public appearances in the Houston area since capturing gold in 2016, added: "It breaks my heart even more to think that as I work towards my dream of competing in Tokyo 2020, I will have to continually return to the same training facility where I was abused."
Biles' announcement Monday follows similar disclosures by Olympic teammates -- including McKayla Maroney, Aly Raisman and Gabby Douglas -- about the now-disgraced Nassar.
"Please believe me when I say it was a lot harder to first speak those words out loud than it is now to put them on paper," Biles posted. "There are many reasons that l have been reluctant to share my story, but I know now it is not my fault.”
The 4-foot-8 Biles, of the Houston suburb of Spring, is among the most decorated gymnasts in history.
Nassar, meanwhile, will be sentenced later this week on seven charges of sexual assault.
With Biles' announcement Monday, 141 young women have accused Nassar of abuse.