Nile Wilson: British gymnasts are treated like ‘pieces of meat’
Olympic medallist Nile Wilson has criticised a “culture of abuse” in British gymnastics, saying athletes are “treated like pieces of meat”.
The 24 year-old, who won bronze at Rio 2016, is the highest-profile male gymnast to speak out after the sport was hit by allegations of mistreatment.
Wilson told BBC Sport he was “scared” that publicly voicing concerns could cost him selection for the Tokyo Games.
He said he had been left “heartbroken” by the outcome of a complaint he lodged with his home base of Leeds Gymnastics Club earlier this year that he felt was “brushed under the carpet”.
The complaint did not relate to his training or coaching staff, instead centring on an altercation with a senior member of staff at a club social event.
Following an internal club investigation, Wilson’s grievance was dismissed, a decision then upheld after a review by British Gymnastics.
“I just felt like I wasn’t being heard. And I was wronged,” said Wilson, who called the process “unprofessional”.
At times struggling to contain his emotions, Wilson said: “I believe there’s a massive element of control.
“We’re made to feel fear, or scared of speaking out, voicing our concerns, because they have us, our livelihoods, in their hands.
“If I voice my concern, I may affect my selection for Olympic Games.
“So, we stay quiet, we do what we’re told.
“And in wrapping that up, I feel like that’s the culture, that’s how I’ve experienced it the last two decades.”
Read more here https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/gymnastics/53727425