‘I was terrified to put on weight’ – the ‘culture of fear’ in British gymnastics
Nicole Pavier says an eating disorder still “plagues” her life. A former England gymnast, she says she was weighed every day during her career.
Pavier, 24, told BBC Sport how she developed bulimia when she was 14 and that she retired three years later after becoming “a shell of a person”.
She is one of several gymnasts to speak to BBC Sport about what they called a “culture of fear” within the “mentally and emotionally abusive” sport of gymnastics.
British Gymnastics has announced an independent review will take place following allegations of mistreatment from a number of athletes in recent days.
“It is clear that gymnasts did not feel they could raise their concerns to British Gymnastics and it is vital that an independent review helps us better understand why so we can remove any barriers as quickly as possible,” said chief executive Jane Allen.
Pavier said she became “terrified” she would put on weight, and would find “mechanisms” to try to prevent her from doing so.
“Being an adult now, you really realise how much it has affected you, from the eating disorders, the chronic pain, waking up having nightmares every night, never feeling good enough,” Pavier said.
“It has such a long-term implication.”
Read more here https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/gymnastics/53290256