Seventeen former gymnasts are bringing legal action against British Gymnastics. Credit: PA
A group of 17 former gymnasts, including three Olympians, have begun legal action against the sport’s governing body British Gymnastics, claiming abuse by coaches immersed in a winning at all costs culture that has left many of them with lasting psychological and physical damage.
The gymnasts are all women and at the time of the alleged abuse were aged between six and 23.
As first reported by ITV News in September the allegations range from physical abuse and pressure to train on injuries to body-shaming leading to eating disorders, bullying and unnecessary punishments.