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A group of 17 women and girls are taking legal action against British Gymnastics, alleging a culture of physical and psychological abuse in its clubs against young gymnasts as young as six years old.
The sport’s governing body was served a letter before action Wednesday which detailed the claims, including accusations that coaches punched, kicked, slapped and starved the girls that were supposed to be training in gymnastics.
It says the claimants — aged between six and 23 at the time — were forced to continue training, even if they reported pain or injury, and were pressured to take strong pain medication to keep going.
Three of the women are Olympians, including London 2012 Olympic gymnast Jennifer Pinches, who set up the Gymnasts for Change platform last year.
“For too long we have seen British Gymnastics prioritise podiums over people which has led to untold damage to the lives of young people,” Pinches told the Guardian.
“It is a heartbreaking truth to face, knowing the level of abuse that we and so many others were subjected to. This is just the beginning of the sweeping changes that we are demanding, and the justice that we will fight for.”
The letter alleges a culture of body shaming, with teen gymnasts forced to starve themselves and having to wear a “fat suit” if they did not reach goal weights. One teen alleges she had to hide food in the ceiling in her room or under her mattress.
“British Gymnastics implemented a model of suspended pre-pubescence leading to generations of girls with eating disorders, body image issues, and deliberately stunted physical development,” the letter reportedly stated.
“Many of the claimants now suffer from eating disorders, body dysmorphia and/or an unhealthy relationship with food.”
It is alleged “in almost all cases” athletes have suffered with depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as an obsessive-compulsive disorder, which “continue to afflict many of the claimants to this day,” the BBC reported.
Meanwhile, a review into British Gymnastics, led by Anne Whyte QC, is also investigating allegations of mistreatment reported by numerous elite athletes since last summer.
According to the Guardian, earlier this month it was revealed that 221 calls alleging abuse in British gymnastics had been received on a special hotline set up by the NSPCC – with more than half considered so serious they have resulted in a referral to the police or social services.
British Gymnastics has not responded to the claims as of today, saying it would not be commenting “until we have had the opportunity for [the letter] to be fully considered.”
British Gymnastics is one of many sports organisations facing allegations of abuse. An Argyll ballet school has been the target of police probes after allegations of sexual assault. One employee has been suspended and investigations are ongoing after a 16-year-old girl was allegedly groomed by Ballet West’s 38-year-old vice principal.
What is your opinion about the allegations of abuse at British Gymnastics? What do you think will be the outcome of these claims? Let us know in the comments.
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