Romney applauds ‘courage’ of those testifying against ex-USA Gymnastics doctor

Former Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney on Wednesday praised the young women who publicly testified about sexual assault at the hands of former USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar.

“Over the years, I’ve witnessed the courage of athletes in Olympic Games but I’ve never seen greater Olympic courage than that shown by our women gymnasts in the courtroom in Lansing, Michigan,” Romney tweeted.

Over the years, I’ve witnessed the courage of athletes in Olympic Games but I’ve never seen greater Olympic courage than that shown by our women gymnasts in the courtroom in Lansing, Michigan.

— Mitt Romney (@MittRomney) January 24, 2018

After more than 150 women testified about their interactions with Nassar, he was sentenced Wednesday to 40 to 175 years in prison for sexually assaulting dozens of women and girls while working with USA Gymnastics and Michigan State University. 

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“You do not deserve to walk outside of a prison ever,” Judge Rosemarie Aquilina said at the sentencing.

Nassar’s latest sentence won’t begin until after he serves a 60-year prison sentence on federal child pornography charges.

The NCAA said Tuesday it will investigate Michigan State University’s handling of abuse claims against Nassar after multiple reports that school officials ignored complaints about him, CNN reported.

Romney is considered a favorite to replace retiring Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) in this November’s midterm elections. Romney has not yet announced whether he will launch a campaign.