A condemning review into the handling of child gymnasts in the care of the Western Australian Institute of Sport was released by Sports Integrity Australia on Wednesday.
In the report, the gymnastics program – which was shut down in 2016 citing financial reasons – SIA found it was “reasonably likely that some athletes suffered abuse or harm”.
About 800 athletes, including nine Olympians, went through the program where verbal and physical abuse, fat-shaming and unnecessary skinfold testing were cited by SIA.
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Other examples of trauma included the expectation that some gymnasts train and compete while injured.
Incorporating 92 submissions from athletes, families and other parties, SIA chief executive David Sharpe praised the courage of those who shared their experiences.
“Managing historical allegations of abuse in sport is inherently complex, due to the passing of time, the reliance on outdated policies, and jurisdiction issues that arise when respondents are no longer involved in sport,” Sharpe said in a statement.
“The terms of reference for this review provided a safe way to hear and document participants’ experiences and learn from them, rather than a formal complaint handling process that would put gymnasts through investigations and hearings.”
The SIA issued four recommendations from its review starting with the WAIS needing to adopt the national integrity framework and the associated independent complaints process.
It also recommended WAIS ensure all sports programs involving children were child-focused and age-appropriate, that the WAIS embed athlete wellbeing into policies, procedures and practices in all sports programs and the WAIS engage in a restorative and reconciliatory process with the athletes who suffered harm or abuse.
WAIS chair Neil McLean apologised to victims and said the WAIS had accepted the recommendations.
“We believe we can take some confidence from this review that our elite sporting programs reflect the modern sporting environment and deliver best practice athlete care,” McLean said in a statement.
“However, we can always improve, and we welcome the recommendations made in the report.”
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