More gymnasts join abuse action

The number of gymnasts threaten- ing legal action against British Gymnastics has more than doubled to 37 in the month since civil proceedings were first launched.

Last month, 17 gymnasts, including three Olympians, took the first step in their personal injury claims by filing a “Letter Before Action” to British Gymnastics, alleging “systemic” abuse within the organisation. It has now been revealed that a further 20 have joined them, and those involved expect numbers to increase over the coming months.

Also, British Gymnastics has failed to respond to the letter’s claims in the allotted month-long time frame, and has asked for a six-month extension to Dec 19, which would keep the case at bay until after the Tokyo Olympics.

This development has “disappointed” gymnasts involved, who hoped the governing body would agree to an alternative dispute resolution to keep the issue out of the courts. Instead, the gymnasts’ lawyers have granted British Gymnastics an extension to June 19.

“We’re disappointed but not surprised that British Gymnastics have failed to meet the reasonable deadline we set,” Claire Heafford, founder of Gymnasts for Change, said. “As such, they have missed a valuable opportunity to address the 17 cases of harm put to them and to commit to working with gymnasts and former gymnasts to reforming the sport through an alternative dispute resolution.”

Heafford fears the delay puts more gymnasts at risk of abuse, as recreational sport returns to action next month.

British Gymnastics was approached for comment.