Advertisement

'Culture of abuse': Olympian drops fresh gymnastics bombshell

Pictured here, Nile Wilson claims a culture of abuse exists within British gymnastics.
Nile Wilson claims British gymnasts are often treated like pieces of meat. Pic: Getty

Olympic bronze medallist Nile Wilson claims British gymnasts are "treated like pieces of meat" because of the "culture of abuse" that exists in the sport.

Wilson is the most high-profile male gymnast to join the bullying and abuse allegations that have engulfed British Gymnastics.

'NEEDS TO STOP': Aussie athletes weigh in on gymnastics scandal

SHOCKING: Dark reason for gymnast's retirement at 20

The 24-year-old made history when he became the first Briton to win an Olympic medal on the horizontal bar at Rio 2016.

But Wilson's experience of the sport has not been all positive and he admitted he was originally scared to speak out for fear of harming his future selection prospects.

"I would absolutely describe it as a culture of abuse, and I have lived and breathed it for 20 years," he told the BBC on Monday.

"It's emotional manipulation, being pushed through physical pain was certainly something I experienced. The gymnasts are still, in my opinion, treated like pieces of meat.

"I would say that I was abused. But we wanted to win Olympic medals - the governing body wanted to win Olympic medals, the coaches wanted to win Olympic medals."

Earlier this year, Wilson made a complaint over an altercation with a senior member of staff at a social event at Leeds Gymnastics Club.

The grievance did not relate to his training or coaching staff and, following an internal club investigation, it was dismissed - a decision upheld after a review by British Gymnastics.

"I was told and felt like I was the problem. It was evident it was pushed under the carpet," he said.

"I just felt like I wasn't being heard and I was wrong. The governing body and Leeds, they didn't care at all. (I felt) completely worthless."

According to the BBC, Leeds Gymnastics Club said it disputed Wilson's version of events and the allegations were "professionally" and "robustly" investigated, with the outcome independently verified.

Wilson has since left his hometown club and revealed he was concerned that airing grievances may cost him a place at next year's Olympics in Tokyo.

More athletes speak out against abuse

"For so long now we are made to feel fear or scared of speaking out," Wilson said.

"And, if I voice my concern, I may affect my selection for the Olympic Games. I am scared talking to you.

"The reason I am talking, which has been one of the hardest decisions I have made, is because my incident this year highlights that there is still a challenge in the culture of gymnastics and it starts at the top."

An independent review has been launched following public complaints from gymnasts from all ages and levels of the sport.

British Gymnastics had defended its processes after Olympic medallist Amy Tinkler criticised the organisation for a lack of urgency with an investigation into her claims of bullying and abuse.

The Netflix documentary ‘Athlete A’, which features disgraced former USA team doctor Larry Nasser, has inspired many current and former gymnasts to speak up.

Similar allegations of abuse have recently surfaced from Australian athletes, with various gymnasts speaking out via the #GymnastAlliance movement.

Chloe Gilliland, nee Sims, said she suffered from bulimia as a result of abuse by coaches and said she considered tasking her own life.

Chloe Gilliland pictured far right is one of a number of Aussie gymnasts to speak out against abuse.
Chloe Gilliland (far right) at the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Mary-Anne Monckton, a five time-national champion who won silver at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, said she was body-shamed and subjected to physical, mental and emotional abuse.

Olivia Vivian said “at times the gym was toxic” and recalled “lots of yelling and many forms of criticism”, saying she returned from the 2008 Olympics “a broken athlete and even worse, a broken person”.

Britt Geeley said she was “called fat by (a) coach in front of a mirror with fellow gymnasts watching”, while Georgia Bonora described a “culture of fear created by people in power”.

Yasmin Collier said she was called a “fat, lazy pig” and continues to “struggle mentally and physically everyday from the things I had to endure.”

Gymnastics Australia says it has a "zero tolerance" policy when it comes to abuse and has urged more athletes to speak out against it.

with Yahoo Sport staff