British Gymnastics: Campaign launched to monitor alleged abuse

A new campaign group for gymnasts wants to see the creation of a body to monitor abuse claims in the same way doping is controlled.

Gymnasts for Change has been set up in the wake of allegations of abusive coaching practices in the sport.

British former Olympic gymnast Jennifer Pinches and campaigner Claire Heafford are behind the new group.

Pinches, who competed at London 2012, said it is time “to make sure real change happens”.

The 26-year-old told BBC Sport she would like a body similar to the World Anti-Doping Agency to be set up to record emotional and physical abuse claims, which she says are not “recognised or monitored on that scale yet”.

Gymnasts for Change aims to improve athlete welfare following the mistreatment allegations and has called for a formal apology from British Gymnastics.

It comes after British Gymnastics set up an independent complaints process to oversee allegations of mistreatment.

The review into allegations of abuse within British Gymnastics, led by Anne Whyte QC and co-commissioned by Sport England and UK Sport, began in August after several gymnasts – including Olympians such as Amy Tinkler – alleged there had been a culture of mistreatment in the sport.

Read more here https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/gymnastics/55265940