The victims of a disgraced Olympic gymnastics team doctor took to the stage at an annual sports awards event to stand together in solidarity.
Larry Nassar was convicted of sexually assaulting more than 250 women and girls over two decades.
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In January, he was sentenced to 175 years in prison for sexual abuse under the guise of medical treatment. The following month, he was sentenced to 125 years in prison for seven counts of felony criminal sexual conduct in the first degree.
In late 2017, he received 60 years in prison for child pornography.
At the 2018 Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly Awards (ESPYs) on Thursday (local time), 141 of Nassar's victims gathered onstage to accept the Arthur Ashe Courage Award.
An emotionally charged video montage was played onscreen, with several people describing the torment they suffered at the hands of their sports doctor.
The women onstage held hands in solidarity as they spoke.
Gymnast Aly Raisman gave a powerful speech onstage, in which she listed every year in which a female athlete tried to report the abuse but was dismissed.
"All those years we were told you are wrong, you misunderstood, he's a doctor, it's okay. The intention? To silence us in favour of money, medals and reputation," the gold medallist said.
"But we persisted and finally someone listened and believed us. To all the survivors out there, don't let anyone rewrite your story. Your truth does matter. You matter and you are not alone."
Newshub.
