Warning: This article describes graphic injuries and abuse.
The “damn” report describing the abuse of gymnasts in Britain shows that there has been “child abuse” of athletes, says a former gymnast.
White Review says the problems with physical and emotional violence in gymnastics in Britain are “systemic”.
This was heard from athletes who were forced to train on broken bones, punished for needing a toilet, sitting by coaches and subjected to excessive weight management.
During the review period (2008-2020), more than 75% of British Gymnastics members were children under the age of 12.
“This is not a heavy coaching and light bullying, this is bullying of athletes at a very early age,” Nicole Pavier told BBC Sport.
“It has a monumental impact on the rest of our lives, both physically and mentally.”
The 306-page review of White, led by Anne Whyte QC and jointly commissioned by UK Sport and Sport England for £ 3 million, has received more than 400 pieces of evidence.
Of these, more than 40% described physical violence by coaches, more than 50% reported an element of emotional abuse, about 30 statements included allegations of sexual abuse and more than 25% included a reference to excessive weight management.
Pavier was one of the first gymnasts to speak to BBC Sport in 2020 about her experience in the sport, and said it was in the two years since he had “exposed a lot of stress” to athletes who had made public statements.
“I think it’s a good starting point and a step towards changing the culture of violence that’s in gymnastics right now,” she said.
“And we hope that the damn report of Anne White on sports will do [British Gymnastics] get active and make some positive changes.
“This shows that there are not just a few bad apples that we were made to believe, and in fact, using our voices, we now know that there is a culture of abuse and these are children who are abused in clubs and there are a lot of them. . “
“Institutional betrayal of gymnasts”
London 2012 Olympic gymnast Jennifer McLean (born Pinches) said the White Review reveals the extent of the “institutional betrayal of gymnasts” in Britain.
McIlvin is part of the Gymnasts For Change campaign group and said the report was “upsetting and shocking to read”, but “not news” for the group.
“It is definitely very positive to see on paper what we have been saying all along, and for gymnasts to see experiences that reflect their own – knowing that they are not alone was a really important part of the movement for change,” she told SETimes. BBC Sport.
She added that she was “encouraged” by the review’s recommendations and the words of the new CEO of British Gymnastics, Sarah Powell, calling it a “turning point”.
However, Gymnasts For Change said the report’s recommendations – which focus on protection and welfare, grievance handling, standards and education, and governance and supervision – “go far beyond what is necessary”.
A statement said: “Every day without a complete and major change, another gymnast is at risk and these recommendations do not meet the necessary change.
“We call for maximum hours of training for child athletes and new government legislation on child abuse.”
In 2020, Olympians Becky and Eli Downey said they had previously been afraid to talk about their experiences of abuse, saying that violent behavior in gymnastics training was “rooted” and “completely normalized.”
Writing on Twitter on Thursday, Becky Downey said the publication of the review marks an “important day” for the future of the sport.
“There is still a lot of work to be done, but I can say with confidence that some very big changes have already been implemented,” she said.
If you have been affected by the issues raised in this article, there is information and support for the BBC Action Line.
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