London (AFP)
A group of 17 former gymnasts including three Olympians will take legal action against the British Gymnastics Federation for "widespread physical and psychological abuse" committed by coaches.
In a letter delivered to the governing bodies of the federation, the athletes explain that they were between 6 and 23 years old at the times of the alleged facts, which include "inappropriate and widespread use of physical force" by coaches and application " unwarranted "weight control techniques.
The young women demand a response from the federation, including a formal apology, compensation and better guidelines for training.
For Jennifer Pinches, who ended her international career after the London Olympics in 2012, the British Gymnastics Federation has spent too much time prioritizing "podiums over people".
“This is just the start of the radical changes we are asking for and the justice we are fighting for,” added the 26-year-old gymnast, also director of the “Gymnasts for Change” group.
"These are decades of institutionalized abuse, encouraged and covered by those at the top (of the federation)," said "Gymnasts for Change" campaign director Claire Heafford, herself a gymnast between 10 and 15 years old.
"The hopes and dreams of countless children and young adults competing as professional gymnasts have been shattered and their love for the discipline has now turned into fear and suffering," added Claire Heafford.
The British Federation reacted immediately in a statement: "We received this letter on the afternoon of February 25. It would not be appropriate or fair for all parties concerned for us to make any comments before having had the opportunity to study it in detail, ”wrote British Gymnastics.
An independent investigation is currently underway to investigate these complaints of ill-treatment.
The announcement comes in the wake of the suicide in the United States of John Geddert, the coach of the 2012 Olympic champion national team, just hours after being charged with charges of sexual assault and "forced labor" at the against about twenty gymnasts.
The facts would have taken place in a club attended by Larry Nassar, the former doctor of the American gymnastics team convicted of sexual abuse of hundreds of athletes.
© 2021 AFP