Whyte Review: British Gymnastics ‘inept and dysfunctional’ one year on since abuse report

British Gymnastics’ “inept and dysfunctional” system means the “wheels of change are barely turning” a year on from the publication of the damning Whyte Review into abuse in the sport, a campaign group says.

Friday marks 12 months since an independent investigation found issues of physical and emotional abuse within gymnastics in Britain were “systemic”.

At the time, British Gymnastics said it would “not shy away from doing what is needed” – but on the anniversary of the report’s publication, critics say not enough has been done.

To date, only one of the 38 civil cases brought against British Gymnastics has been settled, while a list of banned coaches promised by the governing body has yet to materialise.

“The anniversary of the publication of the Whyte Review serves as a painful reminder to many victims of abuse that they are still living with unresolved cases,” said Gymnasts for Change.

“In the 12 months since publication, despite the rollout of British Gymnastics’ Reform ’25 strategy, too little has been done to engage with survivors and assure whistleblowers and parents that their children are not currently being harmed by participation in the sport.

It added: “To date, British Gymnastics has failed to resolve the numerous civil claims against the organisation, missing significant clues on how to meaningfully reform the sport.”

As recently as May, British Gymnastics chair Mike Darcey admitted the governing body is “ill-equipped” to deal with the more serious cases.

Read more here https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/gymnastics/65915666