NO ANSWERS FOR TINKLER, EIGHT MONTHS AFTER COMPLAINT

RIO 2016 medallist Amy Tinkler has revealed she is still waiting for British Gymnastics to resolve a complaint she made eight months ago. Tinkler won bronze in the floor exercise in Rio at the age of 16, but retired in January aged 20 — and has now admitted it was her traumatic experiences and not injury, which led her to quit. Tinkler did not disclose the details of her complaint. But Sportsmail understands it relates to physical and emotional abuse by coaches, like the public grievances made last week by several elite gymnasts, including current British world medallists, Becky and Ellie Downie. In a post on social media, Tinkler wrote: ‘I’m heartbroken by the stories that have been told over the past week. I’m so proud of my fellow gymnasts who have shared their stories, I know how hard it is, and your bravery has been a shining light and inspiration in dark and troubling times for the sport we love. I submitted a formal complaint to British Gymnastics in December 2019. It was an account of my experiences as a club and elite gymnast, and the experiences I shared were the reason for my retirement in January, not a physical injury as was suggested. ‘My complaint was submitted in accordance with the complaints policy by a legal team from Irwin Mitchell LLP. ‘After eight months, I’m no closer to having any feedback or outcome. It took a lot of support and counselling to build up the courage to tell my story. I hope someone now listens to us.’ British Gymnastics yesterday defended their handling of Tinkler’s complaint and announced they will hold an independent inquiry. However, the alarming comments of a current Olympic medallist have only served to heighten the scrutiny on chief executive Jane Allen. They said in a statement: ‘British Gymnastics received formal notification of a complaint from Amy Tinkler in December 2019 and she provided full details of this complaint to us on March 10, 2020, which then allowed the investigation to proceed. ‘It is at an advanced stage and we have kept Amy Tinkler fully informed and provided her with the appropriate support and we will continue to do so.’