Extension of review leaves some ‘neglected’

The independent review findings into the ‘‘insidious culture’’ of gymnastics won’t be released until February, the governing body has said in a memo released yesterday.

That has left members of the community ‘‘shocked and disappointed’’ and feeling ‘‘neglected and dismissed’’.

Gymnastics New Zealand released information to the ‘‘gymnastics community’’ yesterday, stating the review has now ‘‘concluded the submission phase’’, with findings due on or before February 4.

The independent review was set up following a Stuff investigation that uncovered widespread allegations of abuse and mistreatment in the sport. Former World Anti-Doping Agency head David Howman was appointed in August. Former Silver Ferns captain-turned-doctor Lesley Nicol and ex-international gymnast Rachel Vickery were added in September.

The reviewers are now ‘‘compiling the report that will present the findings ... and outline any recommendations’’. The ‘‘full and unedited report’’ will then be released, the memo said.

Gymnastics New Zealand chief

Roger Mortimer

Athletes Federation general manager

executive Tony Compier said he communicated with the gymnastics community as soon as the reviewers indicated the timeframe for delivery of the findings.

However, yesterday’s announcement came as a shock to some. Not everyone within the ‘‘gymnastics community’’ received it. Some found out about the announcement only after being approached by Stuff.

Athletes Federation general manager Roger Mortimer said he did receive a copy, but only after questions were raised by Stuff. The federation has been working with Gymnastics New Zealand and the Human Rights Commission seeking redress for athletes.

‘‘We are going through this process where we’re trying to collaborate . . . we are very surprised we weren’t engaged with or informed about what was happening earlier,’’ he said.

‘‘As an entity we are clinging to hope that the way forward can be trusting and collaborative.’’

Leading gymnastics academic and community advocate Dr Georgia Cervin said she was ‘‘shocked and disappointed to hear about the extension from the media’’ rather than from Gymnastics New Zealand or the reviewers.

While she’s glad the governing body and reviewers realise the ‘‘magnitude of abuse’’ in gymnastics, the review was flawed from the start, she said. The community and the experiences of athletes had been ‘‘neglected and dismissed’’, but the review was not the ‘‘be all and end all’’, she said.

Former international athlete, turned judge and advocate Olivia Jobsis said Gymnastics New Zealand’s lack of communication had ‘‘hurt’’.

‘‘I’m shocked we weren’t emailed this as a priority – I feel bruised and hurt every time they dismiss us as exNew Zealand representatives and survivors, and deny our lived experiences,’’ she said.

While submissions to the independent review have closed, Sport New Zealand’s Independent Complaints Mechanism remains open.

‘‘We are clinging to hope that the way forward can be trusting and collaborative.’’