Since I was a little girl gymnastics has been my favorite part of the Olympics. Seeing how strong and dedicated the gymnasts were was something I was inspired by even if I was not a gymnast.

These gymnast are now and even bigger role model for girls and women everywhere as they take on the man that has abused them. Larry Nassar has now been sentenced to 40 to 175 years in prison for sexually abusing girls under the guise of medical treatment. Before this sentencing over 150 survivors came forward to give impact statements, some even read them personally.

McKayla Maroney came forward to say Nassar had molested her since she was 13 years old and until she left the sport. She was abused at the Olympics in London and many other times. "I was 8 years old, and I told myself that one day I would wear that red, white and blue leotard, and complete for my country. Sure, from the outside looking in, it's a remarkable and amazing story. I did it. I got there, but not without a price," said Maroney in her statement.

Former US national champion, Mattie Larson also came forward revealing the abuse caused her to quit gymnastics. She goes into detail about her "treatment" she received from Nassar, "My injury was very close to my pelvic bone, so when Larry put his fingers in my vagina for the first time, I thought it was some internal treatment." Larson was abused until she retired from gymnastics at 19 years old.

Another Olympic medalist, Aly Raisman delivered her powerful impact statement personally. "The tables have turned Larry. We are here, we have our voices and we are not going anywhere" stated Raisman. Raisman goes on in her statement to ask US Gymnastics and the US Olympics council to take responsibility and change the system.

Her statement will go on to empower her fellow gymnast survivors and any other victim or sexual abuse. She finishes with these powerful words, "My dream is that one day, everyone will know what the words, 'Me too,' signify, but they will be educated and able to protect themselves from predators like Larry, so they will never ever ever have to say the words, 'Me too."

A few days in the the impact statements Nassar asked the judge to allow him the sit with his attorney and not in the witness box, where he had been seated. He claimed his mental health could not take it. The judge declined that by telling him she wanted the victims of his abuse the ability to face him as they gave their statements.

What a coward this man must be. He has the nerve to claim he "mentally can't take" listening to this girls as they bravely face their abuser as survivors, not victims.

What is troubling to all is how did this go on for so long? There are complaints as far back as the 1990's from Michigan State. Why did US Gymnastics let this go on? Which adults didn't believe these girls when they came forward? How did Larry Nassar get away with this for 30 years?

Former Olympic medalist Shawn Johnson East shared she is "disappointed" and "angry" that US Gymnastics has failed. "I think gymnastics is the best sport in the entire world, but if I had a daughter right now I wouldn't put her in it," says Johnson East as she talks about the broken system.

These women that have come forward are modern day heroes. No one can no longer look at gymnastic as girls with tight leotards flipping and jumping around. these gymnasists are warriors, they are using what platform they have to make a difference. They chose to live as survivors of this terrible crime, not victims. They are role models, with or without the gold medals.