Beginning in 2016, reports, testimony, investigations, and prosecutions revealed two decades of widespread sexual abuse of hundreds of young athletes by coaches, gyms, and other elements overseen by USAG.

Following his sentencing, the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) threatened to decertify USA Gymnastics unless the entire board resigned.

[9] Olympic medalist McKayla Maroney has filed a lawsuit alleging that USA Gymnastics paid her to keep silent about Nassar's abuse.

[12] On November 5, 2018, the USOPC announced that it was starting the process to decertify USAG as the national governing body for gymnastics in the United States.

"[1] On October 31, 2020, then-US President, Donald Trump, signed the Empowering Olympic, Paralympic and Amateur Athletes Act into law.

[18] In the wake of the Larry Nassar revelations, the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee increased funding for the United States Center for SafeSport from $4.5 million to $7.5 million in 2019 and began working on reform to fill at least half of seats on USOPC boards and committees with current and former athletes, including National Governing Bodies (NGBs) for individual sports, such as USA Gymnastics and USA Swimming, create better oversight of affiliated sports organizations, make it easier for athletes to report concerns, and provide greater budget transparency.

[17] On February 25, 2021, the State of Michigan charged former USA Gymnastics coach John Geddert with 24 felonies including human trafficking and forced labor, first-degree sexual assault, second-degree sexual assault, racketeering, and lying to police.

Geddert was the US national team coach at the 2012 London Olympics and was closely affiliated with Larry Nassar.

[19] On May 14, 2021, the United States Center for SafeSport suspended French coach Jean-Luc Cairon from all contact with athletes and USA Gymnastics member clubs & members while it conducts an investigation of allegations against him, and he was entered into the SafeSport Centralized Disciplinary Database for allegations of misconduct.

[20][21] Cairon was then arrested, released on bail, showed intent to flee the court's jurisdiction by leaving the United States, and was sentenced to 25 years in prison upon a guilty plea.

Leung competed at club and NCAA levels, then served as a volunteer assistant gymnastics coach while studying for her master's degree.

In a USAG statement on February 19, 2019, Leung said she was "upset and angry to learn about the abuse and the institutions that let the athletes down," would "make it a priority to see that their claims are resolved", and looks forward "to collaborating with the entire gymnastics community to create further change..."[24] The Elite Program consists of regional and national training programs and competitions designed for athletes aspiring to represent the United States in international competition.

Annual elite-level competitions include the American Cup, U.S. Classic, and U.S. Championships, as well as multiple National Qualifying Meets throughout the year.

In elite optionals, the gymnast is evaluated for advanced skills and moves, such as pak saltos, releases, complex dismounts, multiple tucks/twists, double layouts, twisting vaults, and more.

State and regional evaluations are followed by a national test of physical abilities and basic gymnastics skills in October of each year.

Participants compete in individual and team competitions in Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond divisions, based on age and ability level.