New Year Honours 2024: Gymnasts Becky and Ellie Downie appointed MBEs

Gymnastics stars Becky and Ellie Downie, who spoke publicly about abuse in the sport, have been appointed MBEs in the New Year Honours.

The sisters, who are from Nottingham, have been recognised for their services to the sport of gymnastics and also for their services to gymnasts.

Ellie chose to retire at the age of 23 because of her mental health.

She told the BBC at the time she still loved gymnastics, but retired because of “how people were treating me”.

Speaking about being appointed MBEs, her sister Becky said it confirmed they did the right thing by speaking out.

“The fact that ours was for services to gymnasts as well, I think that just means everything,” she said.

“After what we did, speaking up and everything to do with the Whyte Review, it was a really hard few years for us.

“We’ve always said we don’t regret what we did, but it definitely did come with its consequences for us, and to be recognised on a scale like this, really it’s a massive ‘you did do the right thing’.”

Ellie said: “I think when we got told what the MBE was for we were very pleased about that.

“Getting recognised for stuff you are doing outside of your competition achievements is huge.

“I’m retired now, I definitely wouldn’t have expected to have one a year after retirement, which is nice, and when the letter came through the post we were definitely both surprised.”

Read more here https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-67839910