They denounce ‘physical and psychological violence’ in British gymnastics

The British Gymnastics Federation allowed physical and psychological violence to develop for years against athletes, denounced an independent investigation launched in 2020, following accusations by Olympic medalists.

revealing report

In a report of more than 300 pages, the lawyer Anne Whyte denounced “systemic” violent actsbased on some 400 testimonies, half of which speak of forms of violence, and 9% of violence of a sexual nature.

One of the testimonies explains that a trainer sat on a 7-year-old boy, while another person questioned said that he thought his leg was going to break due to forcing an exercise too much.

Another testimony recalls that they made him wear a donkey’s hat, being accused in front of his companions of constantly whining. Parents also recounted how they complained that his son was insulted with homophobic terms daily by his coach.

The British Federation and the UK government agency published their apologies and the new director of British Gymnastics, Sarah Powell, admitted that she regretted what those gymnasts, their parents and those around them had had to live through.

Cases of physical, psychological and sexual violence in different disciplines have been reported regularly in recent years.

In 2021, the United States Gymnastics Federation (USA Gymnastics) and the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee agreed to pay 380 million dollars (360 million euros) in damages for hundreds of victims of sexual abuse by the national team doctor, Larry Nassar.

AFP