Tinkler reveals she retired after complaining about treatment

Olympic bronze medallist Amy Tinkler has revealed that a complaint she lodged with British Gymnastics late last year was the reason behind her retirement, and not injury as previously suggested.

The governing body has been rocked by claims of physical and emotional abuse from grass roots to elite level since last Monday, with a number of former and current British Olympians speaking out about their experiences.

Tinkler, who at Rio 2016 became Britain’s second female gymnast to win an individual medal, announced her retirement in January, aged 20 and after three ankle operations. Yesterday she confirmed it was “not a physical injury” that prompted the decision, but the experiences over which she lodged a complaint with the governing body last year. She said she is yet to hear back concerning her complaint, eight months later.

“I’m heartbroken by the stories that have been told over the past week,” Tinkler said. “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 by some at the time.”

A British Gymnastics representative said the investigation into the complaint was at an advanced stage. “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. We have kept Amy Tinkler fully informed and provided her with the appropriate support and will continue to do so.”