Independent inquiry to examine ‘shocking’ claims of physical and emotional abuse
British Gymnastics has announced an independent inquiry into “shocking and upsetting” allegations of serious physical and emotional abuse made by multiple elite athletes, including fresh claims of fat-shaming by one London 2012 Olympian.
Francesca Fox, who competed as a rhythmic gymnast at the London 2012 Games, told ITV on Tuesday night that she was constantly told she was “fat” and “looked like a hippo” and ended up weighing herself up to 10 times a day as a result.
Her comments came a day after another former British Olympian, the gymnast Lisa Mason, said she had been made to train until her hands ripped and bled. “My hands would then be pulled down and surgical spirit would be poured all over them,” she added. “I would also have AstroTurf put under the bars so I would burn my feet if I didn’t keep them up. But everyone else is going through it, so you think it’s normal.”
A third leading gymnast has claimed that she was locked in a cupboard by her coach as a 10-year-old. The gymnasts who spoke out have been given strong support by those within the sport. Becky Downie, a 2019 world championship silver medallist on the uneven bars, tweeted:
It’s more important to protect the future generations right now.
Don’t get me wrong this sport is HARD & there is a lot of bad stuff you kind of just have to deal with to make it to the top BUT ….
THERE IS A LINE & that line has been crossed way too many times !! https://t.co/GM2ftSPjSm
Written by Sean Ingle
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2020/jul/07/uk-sport-to-investigate-shocking-and-upsetting-claims-of-gymnastics-abuse under the title “British Gymnastics to investigate alleged abuse of elite athletes”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
