Valeri Lukin is the latest person to resign from USA Gymnastics in the wake of the Larry Nassar scandal ©Twitter

Coordinator of the United States women’s gymnastics team Valeri Liukin has stepped down from his role in the wake of the trial of disgraced former team doctor Larry Nassar.

Liukin, a former Soviet Union Olympic champion and father of 2008 US gold-medal winner Nastia Liukin, has cited stress from the "present climate" in the reasoning behind his decision.

"I was truly looking forward to trying to turn this programme around and bring success to our country and the gymnastics community," he said.

"But the present climate causes me, and more importantly my family, far too much stress, difficulty and uncertainty.

"It is time to move on in a different direction, at least for now. I wish the coaches and athletes continued success, and I stand ready to encourage and support all of them from a different vantage point," he said in a statement according to USA Today.

In response to Liukin's resignation, as reported by flogymnastics, USA Gymnastics said: "USA Gymnastics accepted Valeri Liukin’s resignation.

"We thank him for his dedication and contributions to the sport of gymnastics and wish him well.

"We will begin the process to identify a national team coordinator for the women’s programme.”

Valeri Lukin's daughter Nastia Lukin has claimed he is committed to the safeguarding of athletes ©Getty Images
Valeri Lukin's daughter Nastia Lukin has claimed he is committed to the safeguarding of athletes ©Getty Images

Liukin was singled out by former national team competitor Mattie Larson at Larry Nassar’s trial earlier this month.

According to USA Today, she said that Liukin had made her feel "completely invisible" when she competed.

"It troubles me that he is now in that position, and I hope for the sake of current and future national team members, that he has changed," she said.

Liukin is just one of several changes to USA Gymnastics hierarchy since the start of Nassar's trial last year.

The entire Board of USA Gymnastics resigned under pressure this month whilst the organisation have also abandoned training base Karolyi Ranch, where several athletes have said Nassar sexually abused them.

Following her father’s resignation, in a blog on her website, Nastia Liukin insisted her father was committed to athlete safety.

"He, as much as anyone else, wants to change the culture and environment of this programme."

Nassar was jailed for 40 to 175 years last month on seven counts of criminal sexual abuse against athletes and is currently at his third and final sentencing hearing in Charlotte in Michigan.