Gymnastics Canada says it supports independent probe of athlete abuse – National
Gymnastics Canada mentioned on Tuesday it was saddened to study that dozens of athletes really feel the nationwide governing physique failed to handle issues of abuse and helps their request for an investigation to supervise the complaints.
A bunch of greater than 70 Canadian gymnasts who’re and have been members of the Olympic and nationwide group, mentioned in an open letter on Monday that worry of retribution prevented them from talking out a couple of “poisonous tradition and abusive practices” throughout the sport.
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In a response to that letter, Gymnastics Canada’s board of administrators mentioned they’re dedicated to persevering with to advocate for system-wide reforms that can assist guarantee all members really feel revered and protected when coaching and competing in sport.
The governing physique additionally mentioned it agrees {that a} system should be in place to handle unsafe practices in sport, supported requires an unbiased investigation and agree that extra work is required to create an surroundings the place members can thrive.
“We’re aligned with the signatories to the letter that we be a part of the answer to result in constructive tradition change, in Canada, and globally,” the board mentioned in an announcement.
“To that finish, we are going to proceed to work with our nationwide sport counterparts, our worldwide physique and different nations in the direction of systemic and attitudinal change within the sport globally and in Canada.”
Based on the gymnasts’ open letter, there have been a number of complaints and arrests for varied types of emotional, bodily, and sexual abuse and the topic of the complaints have been Canadian coaches, a lot of whom the athletes have been uncovered to as minors.
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Gymnastics Canada’s board mentioned it acknowledges that, alongside different nationwide sport organizations, extra must be carried out to make sure security in sport in any respect ranges and that it’s obvious there are gaps within the administration of protected sport.
“The game of gymnastics, globally, has been the topic of many unbiased opinions of malpractice and abusive conduct which were introduced ahead by way of each the felony justice system and thru the voices of courageous people,” the board or administrators mentioned.
“Gymnastics in Canada shouldn’t be immune to those points, and Gymnastics Canada, because the governing physique for the game in Canada, has addressed each grievance or concern that has come ahead to the nationwide physique.”
(Reporting by Frank Pingue in Toronto, modifying by Pritha Sarkar)
