The Australian Human Rights Commission is investigating details of shocking abuse during her career after at least 20 gymnasts went public this month.
Gymnastics Australia urged the Australian Human Rights Commission to intervene after the sport was shaken by obnoxious accusations of body shame and bullying.
Gold medalist in the Commonwealth Games, Chloe Gilliland (née Sims), silver medalist in the Commonwealth Games 2014, Mary-Anne Monckton, and two-time Olympic gold medalist Georgia Bonora were among those who recently spoke on social media about the horrific treatment they claimed to be had suffered.
Kitty Chiller, CEO of Gymnastics Australia, released a statement Thursday saying that many of the stories that are shared are “just not unacceptable” and “reinforce the need to do more to improve the culture of gymnastics change”.
Chiller said Gymnastics Australia asked the Human Rights Commission to intervene and review the culture of the sport.
“The review will create an understanding of the culture of gymnastics in Australia and any barriers to reporting behavior that violates what we stand for – zero tolerance for any form of abuse,” said Chiller.
“There is also confidence in those who have more to contribute or who have not yet spoken that their experiences will be heard by an independent team of professionals to provide information about future practice.
“The Commission will also review current policies and practices related to athletes’ safety and well-being, as well as the implementation and governance structures related to these policies.”
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The Australian Olympic Committee CEO, Matt Carroll, spoke out in favor of the review, which is expected to be completed by March.
“The commitment to an independent review of policies, practices and governance structures is a strong signal to the gymnastics community and indeed to the wider sports community that they are committed to gymnastics (Australia),” said Carroll.
Many of the Australian athletes who shed light on the toxic culture of gymnastics said they were inspired by the Netflix documentation Athlete A.. The program includes the disgraced former Team USA doctor Larry Nassar, who was sentenced to a maximum of 175 years in prison for sexually assaulting several gymnasts he oversees.
More than 330 women accused Nassar of abuse while working for USA Gymnastics and Michigan State University. Top-class American Olympic athletes like Aly Raisman and McKayla Maroney were among those who helped bring Nassar to justice.
While none of the Australian gymnasts who go public have made allegations of sexual abuse, the changes in U.S. gymnastics have had a definite impact on the sports community down under.
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