“If you dared to speak out you were very quickly put back in your box. There was a culture of fear that she fostered,” Ms Anwyl told ITV News. https://www.itv.com/news/2020-07-30/british-gymnastics-ceo-jane-allen-fostered-culture-of-fear-former-manager-claims
Month: July 2020
South Durham Gymnastics Club deny telling their athletes to cut ties with Amy Tinkler
Paul Anderson, chairman of the club, said that the club was only informed by British Gymnastics of Tinkler’s complaint in April this year https://www.telegraph.co.uk/gymnastics/2020/07/29/south-durham-gymnastics-club-deny-telling-athletes-cut-ties/
Another Belgian gymnast speaks out
In the light of “Athlete A” and “In the Heart of Gold” documentaries, as well as the statements of all the brave gymnasts all around the world, I decided I could no longer be silent about my own little gymnastics trauma.I seemed to be born to be a gymnast. I was tiny but muscular. I…
A Belgian gymnast speaks out
For a long time, when asked what sport I was doing, I would reply proudly “I’m a gymnast”. I grew up, thinking I would go to the Olympics. Because that is the goal, right? The one you dream about, the one that gets you going to the gym with a smile on your face. How…
A response to Europa Gymnastics Centre’s Statement
Europa Gymnastics Centre have issued a statement in reply to Ellis O’Reilly’s harrowing stort on ITV. Here is a response to that statement
Ireland’s first female gymnastic Olympian ‘forced to quit or face life in a wheelchair’
As Ireland’s first ever female Olympic gymnast Ellis O’Reilly is a genuine history-maker; an achievement to make her immensely proud and one she can treasure for the rest of her life. https://www.itv.com/news/2020-07-18/irelands-first-ever-gymnastic-olympian-forced-to-quit-or-face-life-in-a-wheelchair
British gymnasts were judged on their figure and given rating from as young as eight years old
Kay Salisbury, now 31, says the ‘figure rating’ handed out in document by British Gymnastics made her instantly reject her body https://www.telegraph.co.uk/gymnastics/2020/07/18/british-gymnasts-judged-figure-given-rating-young-eight-years/
Gymnastics abuse scandal continues to widen as revelations emerge across the globe
Similar stories of emotional abuse reveal a pattern of problematic coaching practices throughout the sport https://www.telegraph.co.uk/gymnastics/2020/07/17/gymnastics-abuse-scandal-continues-widen-revelations-emerge/
Jane Allen & Peggy Liddick’s Australian reign: Livia Giles statement
https://www.instagram.com/p/CCs_kbVjdDJ/
Emelia Dart statement
View this post on Instagram While may brave athletes are speaking up about their experiences within elite gymnastics, I think it is my time as well. My time to reveal the inappropriate behaviour that I tolerated for 4 years since I kept being told that’s what was needed to be done in order to reach…
Winning at all costs – how abuse in sport has become normalised
In a moving letter on Twitter, top British gymnasts have reported that abuse in their sport is “completely normalised”. These athletes, including current Olympians and senior competitors, are uniting to speak out about the physical and psychological abuse they have experienced and witnessed in their sport. https://theconversation.com/winning-at-all-costs-how-abuse-in-sport-has-become-normalised-142739?fbclid=IwAR36XSoVQjfymLWkRssU0uv9x9nX5w6TRcbU4vEA5YAKkaA4NpKWvbUW62Y
No Olympics for coaches under bullying investigation, say Team GB
Any coach under investigation for bullying or abuse will not be part of next year’s British Olympic team, officials have confirmed, writes James Toney. In recent days a succession of gymnasts have come forward detailing their experiences of mistreatment, including Olympians Becky and Ellie Downie and Lisa Mason. https://sports.yahoo.com/amphtml/no-olympics-for-coaches-under-bullying-investigation-say-team-gb-160132568.html?__twitter_impression=true
Pressure leads British Gymnastics to withdraw from bullying review
British Gymnastics has bowed to pressure and withdrawn from any involvement in an independent review into allegations of bullying and abuse within the sport. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/sport/pressure-leads-british-gymnastics-to-withdraw-from-bullying-review-h97msd9fh
UK Sport and Sport England co-commission review into allegations of abuse in gymnastics
Sporting bodies step in after British Gymnastics reversed their own decision to organise a QC-led independent review https://www.telegraph.co.uk/gymnastics/2020/07/16/uk-sport-sport-england-co-commission-review-allegations-abuse/
British Gymnastics step aside to allow independent review into bullying and abuse allegations
UK Sport and Sport England say they “welcome and support the decision of British Gymnastics to step aside from the review” https://www.skysports.com/more-sports/other-sports/news/29876/12029663/british-gymnastics-step-aside-to-allow-independent-review-into-bullying-and-abuse-allegations
Gymnastics abuse claims: British Gymnastics steps aside from independent review
British Gymnastics has stepped aside from a review into allegations of widespread mistreatment in the sport to “remove any doubt” over the “integrity or independence” of the process. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/gymnastics/53419739
Beth Tweddle says ‘no place for bullying or abuse in the sport that I love’ amid British Gymnastics claims
Olympian Beth Tweddle said “there is no place for bullying or abuse in the sport I love” in response to allegations that have prompted British Gymnastics to launch an independent review. https://www.itv.com/news/2020-07-15/beth-tweddle-says-no-place-for-bullying-or-abuse-in-the-sport-that-i-love-amid-british-gymnastics-claims
Olympian Lisa Mason calls for gymnastics to increase minimum age requirements for female participants
To compete at senior level in international artistic gymnastics, men must turn 18 in the year of the competition, but women need only be 16 https://www.telegraph.co.uk/gymnastics/2020/07/16/olympian-lisa-mason-calls-gymnastics-increase-minimum-age-requirements/
Gymnast Sam Oldham complains of inadequate mental health support
British Gymnastics: “All athletes regardless of funding or any other factor are further provided with mental health support which is open to all and we have fully supported every request for such access. We will make further contact with Sam so he can share his concerns” https://www.skysports.com/more-sports/other-sports/news/29876/12029340/gymnast-sam-oldham-complains-of-inadequate-mental-health-support
British Gymnastics: IOC President Thomas Bach speaks out over bullying claims
Beth Tweddle: “You should never be afraid to talk and it hurts me to learn that gymnasts have not felt like they can do this” https://www.skysports.com/more-sports/olympics/news/29876/12029253/british-gymnastics-ioc-president-thomas-bach-speaks-out-over-bullying-claims
Gymcastic Podcast #GymnastAlliance
A superb summary of the #GymnastAlliance
Dan Keatings accuses British Gymnastics of ignoring claims made in 2017 about ‘culture of fear’
The former Olympian has called for ‘drastic changes’ in the running of the organisation https://www.telegraph.co.uk/gymnastics/2020/07/15/dan-keatings-accuses-british-gymnastics-ignoring-claims-made/
Olympic medal-winning gymnast Amy Tinkler quits over ‘negative experiences’
Olympic bronze medallist Amy Tinkler has revealed she felt she had no option but to quit gymnastics due to her negative experiences in the sport. https://www.itv.com/news/2020-07-14/olympic-medal-winning-gymnast-amy-tinkler-quits-over-negative-experiences
I retired after no one listened to my complaints, says Olympic medallist Amy Tinkler
Olympic medallist Amy Tinkler has revealed that she retired because of her “experiences” in gymnastics rather than injury as reported at the time. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/i-retired-after-no-one-listened-to-my-complaints-says-olympic-medallist-amy-tinkler-qk29znsqj
British Gymnastics: Amy Tinkler says she has not heard back after submitting a formal complaint
Tinkler: “The experiences I shared were the reason for my retirement in January, not a physical injury as was suggested by some at the time” https://www.skysports.com/more-sports/olympics/news/29876/12028214/british-gymnastics-amy-tinkler-says-she-has-not-heard-back-after-submitting-a-formal-complaint
Gymnasts name GB coach Craig Lowther who they claim put them through ‘daily humiliation’
Video report by ITV News Sports Editor Steve Scott ITV News has named a former elite-level coach allegedly involved in the growing scandal of bullying and abuse of young gymnasts. https://www.itv.com/news/2020-07-13/gymnasts-name-gb-coach-craig-lowther-who-they-claim-put-them-through-daily-humiliation
A letter to Jane Allen MBE, CEO British Gymnastics
Dear Jane, I understand that you are coming under considerable pressure concerning your role in the current crisis embroiling British Gymnastics. I would like to take this opportunity to explore the reasons for that.
Former students of Heathrow Gymnastics raise abuse concerns
Last week, as allegations began to emerge of a toxic culture of abuse within gymnastics, Heathrow found themselves described rather differently: as a club that operated under a culture of fear and silence, where emotional and physical abuse was directed at children. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/past-six-days/2020-07-12/sport/former-students-of-heathrow-gymnastics-raise-abuse-concerns-vzn9zrmk6
Gymnastics abuse scandal: ‘I’d give back all my medals just to be happy’
British gymnasts doubt whether national governing body is serious about stamping out alleged culture of abuse https://www.telegraph.co.uk/gymnastics/2020/07/12/gymnastics-abuse-scandal-give-back-medals-just-happy/
‘I was screaming and begging him to stop’: Former gymnast recalls training horror which ended Olympic dream
Video report by ITV News Correspondent John Ray A former gymnast has claimed a coach verbally abused her after she had snapped her foot in training, suffered taunts about her weight and was forced to wrap herself in clingfilm. https://www.itv.com/news/2020-07-11/i-was-screaming-and-begging-him-to-stop-former-gymnast-recalls-training-horror-which-ended-olympic-dream
Bullying, Humiliation and Abuse: A Gymnast’s Story
“Writing down some of my story feels like a weight has been lifted, I had no idea. The gymnastics community truly is supportive and I myself can’t thank you enough.
Team GB gymnasts Becky and Ellie Downie describe ‘environment of fear’ in the sport
Becky and Ellie Downie: “For too long, the health and well-being of young girls has been of secondary importance to a dated, cruel, and – we’d argue – often ineffective culture within women’s gymnastics training.” https://www.skysports.com/more-sports/olympics/news/29876/12025235/team-gb-gymnasts-becky-and-ellie-downie-describe-environment-of-fear-in-the-sport
I work to protect elite athletes – these growing allegations must be properly investigated
I work to protect elite athletes – these growing allegations must be properly investigated Victoria Aggar Talk of ‘independent’ reviews makes me sceptical – athletes need a separate complaints organisation they can trust https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/jul/10/elite-athletes-unfair-treatment
Calls for resignations at top of British Gymnastics as abuse allegations mount
Video report by ITV News Correspondent Lucy Watson The head of British Gymnastics is under growing pressure to resign following a string of bullying, and physical and emotional abuse allegations in the sport. https://www.itv.com/news/2020-07-09/calls-for-resignations-at-top-of-british-gymnastics-as-abuse-allegations-mount
British Gymnastics CEO ‘appalled and ashamed’ by allegations of abusive coaches
Video report by ITV News Correspondent Ben Chapman The CEO of British Gymnastics said she is “appalled and ashamed” by allegations of abusive coaches reported by ITV News. https://www.itv.com/news/2020-07-10/british-gymnastics-ceo-appalled-and-ashamed-by-allegations-of-abusive-coaches
British Gymnastics head ‘appalled and ashamed’ at multiple abuse stories
Organisation holds crisis talks amid damning revelations Growing number of gymnasts call on Jane Allen to resign https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2020/jul/10/british-gymnastics-head-appalled-and-ashamed-at-multiple-abuse-stories
Cartoon Network pulls out of British Gymnastics partnership after allegations revealed by ITV News
ITV News can exclusively reveal that Cartoon Network has become the first financial partner to publicly suspend its partnership with British Gymnastics after allegations of abusive coaches were exposed. https://www.itv.com/news/2020-07-09/exclusive-cartoon-network-pulls-out-of-british-gymnastics-partnership-after-allegations-revealed-by-itv-news
Becky and Ellie Downie say abuse in GB gymnastics ‘completely normalised’
Ellie Downie would not eat or drink on day before weigh-in‘Focus about my weight will leave scars which will never heal’ https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2020/jul/09/becky-and-ellie-downie-say-abuse-in-british-gymnastics-completely-normalised
British Gymnastics chief facing growing pressure to resign over abuse scandal
Jane Allen bears ultimate responsibility, alleged victims and parents say, with her organisation also accused of covering up ‘slapping’ https://www.telegraph.co.uk/gymnastics/2020/07/08/british-gymnastics-chief-facing-growing-pressure-resign-abuse/
Former gymnasts reveal shocking extent of abuse inflicted on them by coaches
Lucy Mein tells Telegraph Sport of regular verbal abuse as well as a ‘bullying culture’ which made her feel ‘worthless’ https://www.telegraph.co.uk/womens-sport/2020/07/08/former-gymnasts-reveal-shocking-extent-abuse-inflicted-coaches/?fbclid=IwAR2Gl8H7tc086nmw2X11NyMJwOlQi8DqU4vR_z7Ci9PUJ-2Snhlu9j-2pnU