Among those were allegations of psychological, physical and verbal abuse, fat shaming, ongoing issues with mental well-being and body image, and athletes expected to compete on serious injuries. The cost of a review was set to rise as gymnastics now addressed changing its culture, following the release of the “confronting, sobering” review. The $250,000 funding covered the review, and the opening of Sport NZ’s Independent Complaints Mechanism to the gymnastics community.
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Sport New Zealand chief executive Raelene Castle was pleased to be able to support Gymnastics New Zealand. The Independent Complaints Mechanism was overseen by lawyer Steph Dyhrberg who received and managed “the cases of survivors who have stepped forward”, Castle said.
The allegations are similar to many made around the world of gymnastics.
A formal apology is a good start for the gymnastics community, but it’s about actions rather than words as those who have experienced abuse in the sport seek redress. Gymnastics New Zealand chief executive Tony Compier on Wednesday formally apologised for the abuse many in the community had experienced. That followed the release of an independent review that highlighted the extent of the “insidious culture” within the sport, uncovered by a Stuff investigation in August 2020. Former Commonwealth Games gymnast, turned leading academic and advocate, Dr Georgia Cervin said it’s great to see the apology but “we re yet to see the understanding of the harm being suffered”.
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The findings of a report into the culture of Gymnastics New Zealand have laid bare the abuse and a raft of recommendations have been made, but some people were not happy about how the three-month long investigation was carried out.
From poor physical and mental well-being, worries about body image, eating disorders and limited access to medical treatment; being forced to train on injuries and wear leotards - which made them feel vulnerable or embarassed - the negative influence of decades of foreign coaching methods, many of them abusive, became normalised.
As former Commonwealth Games gymnast Olivia Jöbsis detailed - it went well beyond being the best at a sport.
The allegations are similar to many made around the world of gymnastics.
Gymnastics New Zealand has formally apologised to those in the community who have experienced abuse, following the release of the “confronting, sobering” independent review into the sport. “We re sorry that those who have gone before and some of those currently engaged in our community who have suffered abuse and have suffered negative experiences as a result of participating in gymnastics,” Gymnastics New Zealand chief executive Tony Compier said. “We apologise for that unreservedly, and we will work hard with our community and our partners to address and redress that.
Seven former New Zealand gymnasts have spoken up about alleged abuse in the sport
An independent review of Gymnastics New Zealand (GNZ), published following allegations of abuse within the sport, has found “scars exist and the damage that has caused those scars needs to be repaired’’. The 60-page document, released Wednesday morning, was produced after gymnasts, past and present, coaches, officials and parents consulted with the reviewer David Howman, who was assisted by former Silver Fern Dr Lesley Nicol and former gymnast Rachel Vickery. More than 200 submissions were received, with lengthy interviews or discussions conducted with about 100.
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Gymnastics CEO Tony Compier said the report was crucial to help the sport repair the hurt and suffering of the past.