“I never looked ill, I just looked like an athlete.” This elite sportswoman says she “became a bit obsessive with counting calories and weighing things” until she realised she had become “dangerously light”. More than a third of 143 respondents to a BBC questionnaire sent to elite British sportswomen said they have experienced disordered eating….
Category: UK
BBC Elite British Sportswomen’s Study 2024 results
The BBC’s elite British sportswomen’s study questionnaire was sent to 615 athletes in 28 different sports and received 143 responses. It is the fourth time BBC Sport has sent one out, with results also published in 2013, 2015 and 2020. Full 2024 study results here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/68534081
Swim abuse scandal a chance for change – Adlington
Rebecca Adlington says the swimming abuse scandal is a chance for the “phenomenal” sport to move forward and change the culture forever. The two-time Olympic gold medallist said she was lucky her coach “saw me as a human being first and an athlete second”. An independent review found a systemic culture of fear in the sport,…
Former coach of British Olympians Becky and Ellie Downie suspended after a complaint following independent review launched into allegations of abuse in the sport
Claire Barbieri is the director of Robin Hood Gymnastics Club in Nottingham She was formerly the director of coaching at Notts Gymnastics Academy Barbieri has been barred from coaching or judging by British Gymnastics https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/othersports/article-8597739/British-gymnastics-coach-Claire-Barbieri-suspended-amid-independent-review-allegations-abuse.html
Gymnastics New Zealand apologises after abuse complaints
Gymnastics New Zealand apologised Wednesday and ordered an independent review into the culture of the sport after a string of athletes complained of physical and psychological abuse — including being “fat-shamed” and forced to compete while injured. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/afp/article-8595321/Gymnastics-New-Zealand-apologises-abuse-complaints.html
Gymnastics: ‘I’ve put all my medals and trophies away’
“I’ve put all my medals and trophies away because I can’t actually look at them, because gymnastics reminds me of a bad time.” BBC Sport is sitting down with five former gymnasts – Sophie Jameson, Olivia Williams, Abbie Caig, Georgina Clements and Amber Leyland have agreed to tell their stories, in light of the widespread…
‘I’ve hidden all my gymnastics trophies away’ – five ex-gymnasts tell their troubling stories
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p08mvj3w
Helpline will ‘positively transform the culture of gymnastics’ after abuse scandal
In the last few weeks, gymnasts have bravely come forward about their experiences of abuse and bullying within their sport. https://www.itv.com/news/2020-08-03/helpline-will-positively-transform-the-culture-of-gymnastics-after-abuse-scandal
British Gymnastics CEO Jane Allen ‘fostered culture of fear’, former manager claims
“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
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/
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/
Jane Allen & Peggy Liddick’s Australian reign: Livia Giles statement
https://www.instagram.com/p/CCs_kbVjdDJ/
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
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/
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
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
Olympian Louis Smith condemns ‘culture of fear’ in British Gymnastics following abuse allegations
Video report by ITV News Sports Editor Steve Scott Former Olympic gymnast Louis Smith has spoken out about a “culture of fear” within British Gymnastics amid a storm of abuse allegations in the sport. https://www.itv.com/news/2020-07-08/olympian-louis-smith-condemns-culture-of-fear-in-british-gymnastics-following-abuse-allegations