ABUSE APOLOGY FOR GYMNASTS
BRITISH Gymnastics faced up to an ‘epidemic of abuse’ in the sport after a damning report laid bare the scandal that impacted children as young as seven.
A comprehensive, £3m 306-page report, jointly commissioned by UK Sport and Sport England and conducted by Anne Whyte QC, accused the governing body of presiding over an era in which medals mattered more than the care of children.
Shocking testimony described incidents of physically abusive behaviour towards gymnasts by coaches.
More than 50 per cent of submissions reported an element of emotional abuse and a small number cited sexual abuse.
One of the girls described fearing her leg was going to snap as a coach held her down for stretches.
Another complained of being forced to stand on the beam for two hours because she was frightened to attempt a skill. “It’s absolutely child abuse,” said former GB Olympic gymnast Jennifer McIlveen, founder of Gymnasts4Change.
“This is not tough coaching, this is an epidemic of abuse.”
Sarah Powell, British Gymnastics’ new chief executive, issued a “genuine apology” and admitted her organisation faced a long and difficult task to restore trust.
“It’s emotional for me, I’m a mum and sport is not supposed to do this,” she said.
“I am sorry – to them for what they have experienced, and their parents and those around them, who have also been affected.”
Powell said the governing body “will not shy away” from taking the steps required to restore confidence.
“We know we will be judged by our actions, not our words,” she added.