Simone Biles explains why judge in Larry Nassar case is her hero

Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles is on the long list of gymnasts with a new hero after the emotional sentencing hearing for former USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar.

Ingham County Circuit Court Judge Rosemarie Aquilina, who provided more than 100 survivors the chance to confront their abuser — and sentenced him to what would guarantee a lifetime in prison.

"I think the judge is my hero because she gave it to him straight and didn't let him get any power over any of the girls," she said.

Biles tweeted earlier this month about her admiration for Aquilina, thanking her for what she did during the trial.

"Shout out to all of the survivors for being so brave & speaking like the queens that you are while looking at that monster. He will no longer have the power to steal our happiness or joy. I stand with every one of you ," she wrote.

Biles is one of more than 140 women and girls who accused Nassar of abusing her.

"It is not normal to receive any type of treatment from a trusted team physician and refer to it horrifyingly as the "special" treatment," Biles wrote on Twitter earlier this month. "This behavior is completely unacceptable, disgusting, and abusive, especially coming from someone whom I was TOLD to trust.

"For too long I've asked myself, "Was I too naive? Was it my fault?" I now know the answer to those questions. No. No, it was not my fault. No, I will not and should not carry the guilt that belongs to Larry Nassar, USAG, and others."

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