SVT Sports' review of rhythmic gymnastics shows an unhealthy training and leadership culture. And this is not the first time that gymnastics in Sweden has been criticized in this way. Already ten years ago, the problem was raised - and forced the Swedish Gymnastics Association to self-examine. - I still want to say that we have made a journey during these years, says Secretary General Pelle Malmborg.

In SVT Sports' review, nine former elite gymnasts in rhythmic gymnastics testify about a leadership culture where they have been subjected to violations, pain, insults and whiteness.

A total of seven leaders were singled out, four of whom are still active today.

For Swedish gymnastics, the testimonies create echoes of the past.

Ten years back in time to be exact.

In 2012, Dagens Nyheter published several revelations about misconduct, especially in female artistic gymnastics.

The Swedish Gymnastics Association appointed an independent inquiry and when the results were presented, the crisis was a fact.

Investigation showed: leaders violated UN Convention on the Rights of the Child

The investigation showed leadership deficiencies so serious that the Swedish Sports Confederation temporarily cut off elite support for gymnastics while waiting for a list of measures.

Among other things, the investigation found that gymnasts trained injured, that leaders had an unhealthy or in some cases unhealthy view of diet and weight management and that some leaders acted in a way that violated the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

The Swedish Gymnastics Association promised improvement and began a major change work.

A medical council was introduced, as well as a gymnastics ombudsman and a legal committee, as a way of securing safe sports environments.

- When I am in contact with associations today, I see that they work actively in many places with precisely the fundamental values issues.

To create safe training environments where the best interests of children and young people are at the center, says the gymnastics association's general secretary Pelle Malmborg.

But he also admits that there is more to do.

- It should be clear that gymnastics is an extensive activity with about 20- to 25,000 leaders that we will reach somewhere.

To break with an old culture that may have existed, it does not happen overnight.

It is an ongoing work.

"You do not recognize it in your business"

As an example of further measures, Pelle Malmborg mentions new leadership training and instructions for association boards, linked to safe sports and fundamental value issues.

Because that is how Swedish sport is structured: the unions support with materials and directives, while it is in the country's associations that the change must take place in practice.

- Much of this is self-evident today and we have the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child to relate to.

Many in gymnastics are probably surprised today when they hear about this type of trampling.

You do not recognize it in your business.

But regardless of whether it is only a small part of gymnastics, we have a responsibility to actually act on it.

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Ten years since the crisis in Swedish gymnastics: "We have made a journey"

Investigation showed: leaders violated UN Convention on the Rights of the Child

"You do not recognize it in your business"

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