Director of Sports at the University of Michigan resigns after abuse scandal to gymnasts

The director of the sports program at the State University of Michigan (MSU), where the convicted Larry Nassar worked as a doctor, resigned on Friday as pressure intensified in search of answers on how the abuse could persist for decades, AFP reported.

The president of the university resigned Wednesday night, a few hours after Nassar was sentenced to 175 years in prison, between calls to Congress and resignations.

Mark Hollis, director of the prestigious intercollegiate program of athletes of the MSU since 2008, said on Friday that he will also leave his post.

"It has been an absolute honor to direct the Athletes Department during the last decade. That said, today I am announcing my retirement, "Hollis said in a statement.

The announcement followed seven days of pleadings at a court in Lansing, Michigan, where about 160 women gave testimony testimonies.

The women described in detail Nassar's abuses and the suffering he inflicted on them, and at times pointed to failures of authorities of the MSU and amateur athletes' institutions to arrest the doctor.

The MUS remained under surveillance, in particular for an investigation in 2014 that invalidated the accusations against Nassar made by some women who reported having suffered abuse years ago, who did not believe.

Senate Democrats Jeanne Shaheen and Gary Peters this week asked a congressional investigation to find out who is responsible for not having stopped Nassar.

The NCAA, an entity that oversees university sports, opened an investigation to the MUS for the handling of the case, and the governing board of the university has been under criticism for its responsibility in the crisis.

"I'm not running away from anything, I'm going towards something. Comfort, compassion and understanding for the victims and for our community; union, time and love for the family, "Hollis said, adding that he will cooperate with all investigations.

The United States Olympic Committee demanded on Thursday that it resign from the board of gymnastics council of the United States, and three of its members have already done so.

The committee also promised an independent investigation