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British gymnast Becky Downie says she feels 'vindicated' after the shocking culture of physical and emotional abuse within the sport was laid bare in a damning report on Thursday.
The Whyte Review has exposed incidents of children as young as seven being sat on, spat at and slapped by coaches, gaslighted, fat shamed and refused access to food and the toilet, leading to eating disorders and mental health issues.
Downie, a medallist for Team GB at both the World and European championships, released a statement on Twitter in which she said that her and other people who have talked about abuse within the sport 'have finally been heard'.
She said: 'I didn't want to respond until I'd had adequate time to read and properly digest everything in yesterday's announcement.
'24 hours later my overwhelming feeling is: we've finally been heard.
'It feels like a vindication for myself and so many who have known for so long of the serious cultural problems within the sport. A sport I love more than anything.
British gymnast Becky Downie says she feels 'vindicated' after the Whyte report, published on Thursday, detailed the shocking physical and emotional abuse in British Gymnastics
Downie posted this statement on her Twitter in which she said people 'finally know the truth'
'Finally everyone knows the truth and while it won't directly benefit those who have experienced it, it's encouraging to know that if the recommendations are implemented, it'll protect and enhance the next generation of athletes.'
Anne Whyte QC’s landmark 306-page report also said the ‘cash for medals’ culture within British Olympic sport may have contributed to the gymnastics scandal and called for an overhaul of the system.
UK Sport and Sport England – who co-commissioned the £3million independent investigation in 2020 - described the gymnasts’ testimonies as ‘harrowing and distressing’ and apologised.
However, they have refused to strip British Gymnastics of public funding for now, despite the report accusing the governing body of a ‘collective failure’ and prioritising performance over athlete welfare.
A shocking culture of physical and emotional abuse within gymnastics has been laid bare in the most damning report to ever be published about a British Olympic sport
The Whyte Review has exposed incidents of children as young as seven being sat on, spat at and slapped by coaches, gaslighted, fat shamed and refused access to food and the toilet
New British Gymnastics chief executive Sarah Powell issued her own apology but she could not confirm whether any of the anonymous coaches accused of abuse in the report still worked for her organisation.
The Whyte Review received evidence from more than 400 people, with 40 per cent describing physical abuse and 50 per cent reporting emotional abuse. Allegations of sexual abuse also featured in 30 submissions.
Downie in her statement said that she has seen a 'drastic change' in the approach of top level gymnastics, and that she is 'encouraged' for the future of young
