British Gymnastics has been accused of a "systemic" culture of emotional and physical abuse in the damning final publication of the Whyte Review.
Allegations of misconduct against British Gymnastics coaches were raised back in 2020 following the conviction of disgraced USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar on multiple sexual offences.
Complaints within British Gymnastics largely centred around abusive coaching methods, and as many as 400 reports of mistreatment within the sport were filed.
Celebrated names such as Nile Wilson and Amy Tinkler came forward detailing their horrific experiences as gymnasts, and the final publication of the Whyte Review - led by Anne Whyte QC - has now been released.
Whyte concludes that British Gymnastics failed to "put the welfare of participants at the centre of gymnastics", during which participants were overstretched to the point of pain, prevented from eating, drinking or going to the toilet as well as being verbally "belittled".
Gymnasts are also said to have faced "excessively controlling behaviour" and were subjected to "humiliating" language if coaches were left dissatisfied with their weight.
As many as 30 accusations of sexual abuse were also submitted, but Whyte concluded that BG demonstrated a "much better understanding" of such behaviours compared to physical and emotional abuse.
Former British Gymnastics CEO Jane Allen stepped down in 2020 in the wake of the allegations, and current chief Sarah Powell has affirmed that the governing body "will not shy away" from its past.
Our Chief Executive, Sarah Powell, has recorded the following video in response to the findings of the Whyte Review which have been published today.
— British Gymnastics (@BritGymnastics) June 16, 2022
Please visit our dedicated Whyte Review webpage for a link to the full report and our written statement - https://t.co/YOz2MvHLUv pic.twitter.com/udNePxP5Cs
"Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences with the Review. It has been difficult and upsetting to read what you have been through," Powell told the official BG website.
"Your bravery in speaking up has played a key role in helping to move our sport forward and change it for the better. Thank you to Anne Whyte QC and the review team for their comprehensive report and clear recommendations.
"British Gymnastics accepts all of the recommendations and key findings. We will not shy away from doing what is needed. I want to wholeheartedly apologise to the gymnasts who have suffered as a result of us not working to the standards we set ourselves. We are sorry. We will now fully consider the detail of the Review and put in place a roadmap that addresses the recommendations in full.
"We know we will be judged by our actions, not our words, and I am fully committed to working with our leadership team and Board to deliver the reform needed. I recognise that we will not be able to do this alone and I look forward to working with gymnasts, stakeholders and our community to deliver positive change.
"Since I joined British Gymnastics in October, I have been heartened to speak to gymnasts, coaches and club owners and hear they recognise they have an important role to play to ensure our sport is positive for everyone.
"There are hundreds of thousands of young people enjoying gymnastics week in and week out, and I know there are great coaches doing wonderful things. We now must ensure that is the experience of everyone, everywhere."
A statement from UK Sport and Sport England praised athletes for speaking up about the "harrowing" abuse they suffered, saying: "We welcome today's report and accept and endorse all of its recommendations.
"The gymnasts' experiences shared in this Review are harrowing and distressing to read. No-one in sport should ever be subjected to such abuse. Duty of care to athletes and participants is the responsibility of national governing bodies. British Gymnastics clearly fell short of this."
Earlier this month, former acrobatic gymnast Eloise Jotischky became the first to win a civil case against BG over abuse she suffered at the hands of Andrew Griffiths, who represented Great Britain as a coach at the World Championships just three months ago.
Ben Knapton
