Former U.S. rhythmic gymnast Jessica Howard is fighting to end what she calls crippling abuse plaguing USA Gymnastics, which she said she experienced nearly 18 years ago.

In an essay for The New York Times published Wednesday, Howard, the U.S. champion of rhythmic gymnastics from 1999 to 2001, railed against the sports national governing body for not doing enough to protect athletes.

The institutional tolerance of abusive training and the penchant of USA Gymnastics to look away create a culture conducive to sexual abuse for gymnasts of all skill levels, Howard wrote.

Howard, a Florida native, alleged she was 15 when the national teams doctor, Larry Nassar, sexually abused her. She said she met Nassar in 1999 at the Karolyi Ranch in Texas while seeking treatment for hip pain brought on by grueling training prior to the World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championship. Nassar abused her several times during her week-long stay at the facility, Howard wrote.