Between 2008 and 2020, more than 400 testimonies uncover the unacceptable price of Olympic medals
MADRID, 16 Jun. (EUROPA PRESS) –
British gymnasts were subjected to widespread and systematic physical and mental abuse for years, as reported on Thursday by the resolution of the independent report commissioned by the United Kingdom Government in August 2020.
Harassment of all kinds, also with the story of sexual abuse, between 2008 and 2020 that collects ‘Whyte Review’, a report commissioned from Anne Whyte QC, comes to light with more than 400 testimonies, all justified by success in a sport which has given the British 15 medals since the 2008 Beijing Olympics, while before they had only made three podiums.
The 306 pages that resolve the investigation indicate that British gymnasts suffered physical abuse, inappropriate training on injuries, application of excessive hours of training and training loads that caused physical pain and exhaustion beyond acceptable limits.
The athletes were also tortured without being able to go to the bathroom or drink water, at ages in which most of them did not exceed 12 years. Both UK Sport, Sport England and the country’s Gymnastics Federation, British Gymnastics, accepted the unacceptable conclusions and approved the almost twenty recommendations.
“We will not be ashamed to do what it takes. I want to apologize from the bottom of my heart to the gymnasts who have suffered because we did not perform to the standards we set for ourselves. We are sorry,” said Federation Director Sarah Powell.
Former president Jane Allen, who retired in December 2020 amid the dark clouds, is criticized in the report for her “lack of leadership” and a total failure in her organization for not “appreciating the basic importance of the well-being of athletes “.