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Inside Nassar Gymnastics Scandal: McKayla Maroney, Bela and Martha Karolyi Speak

A "Dateline" investigation found that USA Gymnastics tried to silence top athletes after they reported being molested by team doctor Larry Nassar

USA Gymnastics tried to silence top athletes after they reported being molested by team doctor Larry Nassar and as they pushed to meet with law enforcement officials, the gymnasts and their family members told NBC News.

Claims that the sports federation stressed discretion above all else are bolstered by text messages, emails and other materials reviewed by NBC News during a months-long investigation for a special edition of "Dateline" that aired Sunday.

The "Dateline" investigation also included: Olympian McKayla Maroney's first interview since her disclosure last year that Nassar repeatedly abused her; the first interview with coaches Bela and Martha Karolyi, at whose Texas ranch Nassar allegedly abused elite athletes; and the revelation that USA Gymnastics wanted Aly Raisman to promise confidentiality as part of any agreement, according to Raisman and her family.

CORRECTION (April 23, 2018, 7:18 a.m. ET): An earlier headline on this story misspelled the Karolyis' last name.

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