Another victim spoke up in the scandal surrounding allegations of abuse in British gymnastics. Olympic medalist Amy Tinkler reaffirmed the structural problems in the British gymnastics association and wrote in a statement on Tuesday that she was “heartbroken” about the stories of her fellow gymnasts. Tinkler also announced that she reported her “club and elite gymnastics experience” early, but was still waiting for a constructive response from the association.
Already in December 2019, she “submitted a formal complaint to British Gymnastics”. The traumatic experiences described in the report “were the reason for my resignation in January, not a physical injury as was supposed at the time.” Tinkler, who won bronze on the ground in 2016 in Rio at the age of 16 behind the Americans Simone Biles and Aly Raisman, had given no reasons herself when she resigned six months ago.
Since her complaint to British Gymnastics, she had “not progressed” on the way to a response or result from the association. A week ago, several British gymnasts had made serious allegations of abuse against the association. The latter then announced an independent investigation into the allegations.
Tinkler said “very proudly” of the gymnasts who shared their story: “For me, your bravery was a burning light and an inspiration in the dark and troubling times of this sport that we love. (…) I hope that someone is listening to us now. ” Among other things, it is about questionable training methods and an “environment of fear and mental abuse”, as the world-class athletes Becky and Ellie Downie had described in a joint statement.
