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'Bullying' of Leeds young gymnast had lasting impact | 'Bullying' of Leeds young gymnast had lasting impact |
(about 4 hours later) | |
The mother of a former elite gymnast has said bullying has had a lasting impact on his mental health. | The mother of a former elite gymnast has said bullying has had a lasting impact on his mental health. |
Suzanne said her son, then eight, was regularly told to stand against a wall and shouted at by a coach at Leeds Gymnastics Club. | Suzanne said her son, then eight, was regularly told to stand against a wall and shouted at by a coach at Leeds Gymnastics Club. |
Her comments come after Olympic medallist Nile Wilson criticised a "culture of abuse" within gymnastics. | Her comments come after Olympic medallist Nile Wilson criticised a "culture of abuse" within gymnastics. |
Leeds Gymnastics Club said safeguarding and the well-being of all gymnasts was of "paramount importance". | Leeds Gymnastics Club said safeguarding and the well-being of all gymnasts was of "paramount importance". |
Suzanne said her son - who has not been training at the same elite level since he left the club - wanted her to tell his story after Leeds' Olympic medallist Nile Wilson spoke about the impact of how he claimed he had been treated at the same club. | Suzanne said her son - who has not been training at the same elite level since he left the club - wanted her to tell his story after Leeds' Olympic medallist Nile Wilson spoke about the impact of how he claimed he had been treated at the same club. |
Her son used to train with the club's elite squad five times a week when she became concerned about his acute anxiety. | Her son used to train with the club's elite squad five times a week when she became concerned about his acute anxiety. |
"He was punished for not sweating enough, he was asked to do rope climbs repeatedly, he was given a girl's name and had to earn back his boy's name when he was strong enough," she said. | "He was punished for not sweating enough, he was asked to do rope climbs repeatedly, he was given a girl's name and had to earn back his boy's name when he was strong enough," she said. |
When she complained to the club's welfare officer she says she was told "this is normal in gymnastics". | When she complained to the club's welfare officer she says she was told "this is normal in gymnastics". |
Mr Wilson reacted to Suzanne's story on social media saying it had made him "so sad" and that it "shouldn't be 'normal' for any child". | |
'Dream quashed' | 'Dream quashed' |
Following an investigation, Suzanne says her son was told the only option was for him to drop to a lower-standard group. | |
"He had his dream quashed of being a gymnast and lost his friendship circle," Suzanne said. | "He had his dream quashed of being a gymnast and lost his friendship circle," Suzanne said. |
Leeds Gymnastics Club said its board were concerned former members still felt aggrieved about matters which were dealt with "fully and comprehensibly" at the time. | Leeds Gymnastics Club said its board were concerned former members still felt aggrieved about matters which were dealt with "fully and comprehensibly" at the time. |
The club added: "At Leeds Gymnastics Club we believe that the safeguarding and well-being of all gymnasts is of paramount importance and we are proud of our outstanding reputation in this area. | The club added: "At Leeds Gymnastics Club we believe that the safeguarding and well-being of all gymnasts is of paramount importance and we are proud of our outstanding reputation in this area. |
"As a result of the investigation, the board at Leeds Gymnastics terminated the contract of the coach concerned enabling the gymnast to, thankfully, continue training at the club for over a year after the investigation was concluded." | "As a result of the investigation, the board at Leeds Gymnastics terminated the contract of the coach concerned enabling the gymnast to, thankfully, continue training at the club for over a year after the investigation was concluded." |
Suzanne's son now attends another club now but is not training at the same elite level indicating, she says, that the way he was treated six years ago has had a long-lasting impact. | Suzanne's son now attends another club now but is not training at the same elite level indicating, she says, that the way he was treated six years ago has had a long-lasting impact. |
"He's got bad anxiety, panic attacks, very low self-esteem and low self-confidence," she said. | "He's got bad anxiety, panic attacks, very low self-esteem and low self-confidence," she said. |
"For the club he was just a gymnast who left, but for me it's six years on and, for my son in particular, we are still dealing with the aftermath." | |
Follow BBC Yorkshire on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Send your story ideas to yorkslincs.news@bbc.co.uk | Follow BBC Yorkshire on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Send your story ideas to yorkslincs.news@bbc.co.uk |