Former world champion latest to file abuse suit

HOUSTON - A former member of the US national team on Tuesday became the latest gymnast to file a lawsuit over sexual abuse by imprisoned former sports doctor Larry Nassar.

Sabrina Vega alleges USA Gymnastics, the US Olympic Committee and the husband-and-wife duo who coached America's top female gymnasts for three decades failed to protect her and other athletes.

Vega, who was on the team that won a gold medal at the 2011 World Championships, alleges the organizations, along with coaches Bela and Martha Karolyi, ignored signs about Nassar's behavior or should have known he posed a risk to the gymnasts he treated.

Vega alleges that during medical treatments, Nassar molested her hundreds of times from 2008, when she was 12 years old, until 2012, during competitions and while she trained at the Karolyi Ranch.

The ranch is outside of Huntsville, Texas, about 70 miles north of Houston.

Vega's lawsuit was filed in state district court in Huntsville on Tuesday.

"I have struggled to cope with the effects of the repeated abuse I suffered at the hands of Dr Nassar," the 22-year-old Vega said in a statement.

"USA Gymnastics, the USOC and the Karolyis failed to protect me and the other athletes in their care and I believe they should be held accountable."

Vega, who now competes for the University of Georgia, said Nassar's abuse has caused her depression, panic attacks and anxiety, which have become worse as Nassar's case has become widely publicized.

In a statement, USA Gymnastics said it doesn't comment on pending litigation but the organization is "committed to creating a culture that empowers and supports our athletes and focuses on our highest priority, which is the safety and wellbeing of our athletes."