A former USA Gymnastics and Michigan State University doctor accused of molesting seven young female athletes admitted to the charges Wednesday.
Pleading guilty in Michigan's Ingham County Circuit Court to seven charges of criminal sexual assault, Larry Nassar, 54, faces 25 to 40 years in prison.
Nassar has also been sued by more than 125 women and girls alleging abuse, including Olympic gold medalists Gabby Douglas, Aly Raisman and McKayla Maroney.
Allegations against Nassar reportedly go back to the 1990s, but the USA Gymnastics Federation fired him in 2015, when they claim to have been made aware of the abuses.
When Nassar was asked about his statement during the trial, he apologized and hoped his plea would help "move a community forward and away from the hurting".
"For all those involved, I'm so horribly sorry that this was like a match that turned into a forest fire out of control. I have no animosity toward anyone. I just want healing...We need to move forward in a sense of growth and healing, and I pray (for) that."
But Raisman, a three-time gold medal gymnast, described Nassar as a "monster" and criticized the court for referring to him as a doctor.
"Court referring to Larry as DOCTOR Nassar. I AM DISGUSTED. I am very disappointed," she said on Twitter. "He does NOT deserve that. Larry is disgusting. Larry is a MONSTER, not a doctor."
Nassar's sentencing has been set for Jan. 12 and his victims and their families will also make statements during the hearing.
The U.S. has been shaken by numerous high-profile cases since several women came forward in early October to accuse Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein of sexual misconduct.
Many of the victims, mainly women, have taken to social media to air their personal experiences of sexual harassment and assault with the trending #MeToo hashtag.
Since then, such allegations have surfaced against other powerful men in various industries including politicians, actors and famous television correspondents.
