Below is letter sent March 6 2020 to MP, Emily Thornbury, detailing the need for both an independent investigation into the culture at British Gymnastics and the establishment of a similarly independent sports ombudsman. Currently, parents (remember that many victims in sport abuse are young children) and athletes have nowhere to turn when the system lets them down.

Dear Emily,

I am writing to you today regarding the implementation of a ‘Sports Ombudsman’ or similar organisational set-up to hold sports organisations accountable for their Duty of Care requirements.

As you will be aware, in 2015 the Minister for Sport requisitioned an independent review into the ‘Duty of Care’ sport has to its participants. The review made seven ‘priority recommendations’, the first of which was the creation of a Sports Ombudsman with ‘powers to hold national governing bodies (NGB’s) to account for the Duty of Care they provide to all  athletes … providing assurance and accountability to address many of the issues covered within [the] review.’

I have personally been involved with a long standing case that I believe would benefit enormously from an independent inquiry; as it stands myself and others involved with the case have been left with an overwhelming sense of mistrust and lack of confidence in the system to effectively investigate child abuse accusations against influential and successful coaches.

Although this is a representative case, it serves to show that safeguarding policies may become subverted and are not necessarily achieving their aim. This is not an isolated case and these issues are not limited to gymnastics – through research I have become aware these issues are systemic within sports organisations, with the prevalence of acceptance of abusive coaching methods increasing as athletes move toward an elite level.

At present, there are no processes available for the general public to appeal decisions regarding outcomes of abuse cases considered internally through NGB channels. Independent arbitration organisations such as Sports Resolutions exist, however, independent inquiries can only be sanctioned by NGB’s or UK Sport.

With regards to our case (myself and other parents of elite level gymnasts), British Gymnastics (NGB) appear to have failed in their duty of care toward children, allowing a physically and emotionally abusive high performance coach to continue in her position for 5 years after serious safeguarding concerns were reported to them (for further details please see attached document). This disregard for child safety and welfare resulted in a child having suicidal ideation and receiving a PTSD diagnosis. Numerous other children were also affected by this coach’s abusive training methods which could have been prevented had appropriate action been taken in 2012 after a number of complaints had been raised.

I have raised my concerns with UK Sport and the British Athletes Commission regarding British Gymnastics failure to safeguard children and have on a number of occasions requested an independent inquiry to determine what could have been done differently to prevent a child suffering a severe mental health injury and to determine what lessons can be learned from this case. Despite both the NGB and UK Sport having the means to request an independent investigation, all enquiries have been handled ‘in house’.

A lack of transparency with regard to the investigation and many questions posed being left unanswered only adds to the mistrust and loss of confidence with the organisations charged to protect the welfare of children/athletes. A conflict of interest will always exist where those responsible for producing results and maintaining funding are also responsible for sanctioning the individuals whose athletes achieve those results.

I firmly believe the results of an independent investigation into the culture at British Gymnastics would mirror those found in similar investigations requested by UK Sport (The latest being ‘culture of fear’ within British Canoeing). Despite assurances from UK Sport and British Gymnastics that lessons have been learned from this particular case all requests to meet with lead investigators during the investigation to share my experiences were ignored despite both myself and my daughter being heavily involved in the case. The parent of the child who received the PTSD diagnosis has also asked to discuss the case with Jane Allen (British Gymnastics CEO) and is still awaiting a meeting over 2 years later. I fail to see how any organisation can fully understand their shortcomings when they refuse to actively engage with those who have been most affected.

With no means of appeal other than to pursue a (costly) civil case to obtain answers to many of the questions posed to British Gymnastics, this case highlights the need for some form of investigatory process independent of the organisations involved.

I thank you for your time and consideration in this matter and would be grateful if you could forward my request to Nigel Adams MP (Minister for Sport, Media and Creative Industries) and Julian Knight MP (Chair of the DCMS Select Committee).

Kind regards,

(name withheld to protect anonymity of gymnasts)