Gymnastics: A culture of abuse (ITV1) got off to a punchy start. “These are the facts. Today, right now, in gyms, children are being verbally abused, physically abused and, God forbid, sexually abused. Today. Facts.” Words by Carleton Webster, one of several contributors to the documentary highlighting the disastrous institutional failures of the United States.
A White Review published in 2022 concluded that physical and psychological abuse is “systemic” in the sport. Meanwhile, former coaches were convicted of sexual abuse.
David Shadeck was convicted of sexually assaulting two children and sentenced to four and a half years in prison. On his trips to Europe, he would share a bedroom with young teenage girls. A colleague who appeared on the show claimed that she reported Shadek to British Gymnastics after seeing him having children with Bacardi and Cork, but was told: “That’s his business. Don’t get involved.”
Stuart Woods was sentenced to 11 years in prison for having sex and sexual communication with a child while teaching at a private school in Wokingham. He was also the national gymnastics coach. The shocking statements of his victims were shocking. “I don’t think enough parents in our sport know exactly what the culture of this sport is,” said Webster, who worked with him.
Parents of children who want to continue gymnastics should watch this program to determine whether sufficient safety measures are in place. Organizations need to look at this and learn how not to deal with corporate communications. No one from British Gymnastics appears to have been interviewed, only offering a statement saying they are “partway through an extensive action plan” to make the sport safe for everyone, adding: There should be no abuse or harm.” .
Many of the sexual abuse allegations raised here concerned former Olympian Stan Wilde, who was suspended by British Gymnastics in 2021 due to “safeguarding” issues. Mr Wild denies the charges and the CPS has repeatedly said there is insufficient evidence to prosecute.
At one point, contributors were handed a printout of an email sent by British Gymnastics senior coach David Kenwright following the success of the 2022 World Championships. In it, he criticized the “naysayers” and exclaimed, “I have always believed that success is the greatest revenge.”
This email, which gives a good idea of Kenwright’s thinking, was published more than a year ago. This documentary seems to have been out for quite some time, but it just reinforced the impression that no one really cares about how this sport is run.