After several sex scandals in the game globally, an independent report concluded that British gymnasts have been subjected to widespread physical and psychological abuse in a system where such behavior is tolerated, in pursuit of national and international success.
The world has been afflicted in recent years by a series of sexual exploitation scandals, most notably in France and the United States, which are currently witnessing a claim by 90 former and current female gymnasts, including world champions in gymnastics, for compensation from the US Federal Bureau of Investigation estimated at one billion and 200 million dollars, due to its neglect of sexual abuse complaints from Larry. Nassar, the national team doctor (currently imprisoned), 7 years ago.
Nassar, 58, is serving a 60-year sentence in a federal prison on child pornography charges, and was sentenced to 40 to 175 years in Michigan after pleading guilty to seven counts of criminal sexual conduct.
These heavy sentences came after it was proven that he sexually exploited more than 300 female players, most of whom were minors, during the period from 1996 to 2014.
Gymnastics violations in Britain
In Britain, sports authorities conducted a review of gymnastics in August 2020, after widespread allegations of mistreatment of athletes.
The 306-page report, which examined more than 400 complaints, found British gymnastics suffers from a cultural problem where young athletes are bullied because of their weight, while others are given harsh penalties for the slightest mistake during training.
"This behavior included physical abuse, continuation of training despite the injury, excessive training hours, and increased training load, which leads to physical pain and fatigue that exceeds acceptable limits," the report said.
Some athletes have also been prohibited from using the toilet or drinking water during long training sessions.
"We wonder how many sports scandals we need to uncover before the government recognizes the need to take more measures to protect children who participate in sports," the report added.
The British government accepted the report's findings and supported all recommendations.
"The gymnasts' experiences described in this report are horrific and distressing. No one in the sport should be subjected to such abuse," she said in a statement.
The British Gymnastics Association expressed its keenness to change the sport for the better and apologized to the athletes.
"We will not shy away from doing what is required," said federation chief executive Sarah Powell. "I sincerely apologize to the gymnasts who have suffered as a result of not working to the standards we set for ourselves. We deeply regret what happened."