British Gymnastics to name banned coaches in ‘zero tolerance’ plan on abuse

British Gymnastics chief executive Sarah Powell has stressed that success and safeguarding are not mutually exclusive as the governing body plots its path towards regaining the trust of participants and parents in the wake of the damning criticism issued by the Whyte Review in June.

Powell says a 40-point ‘Reform 25’ plan will deliver “zero tolerance” to cases of emotional, physical and sexual abuse, with more transparent complaints procedures and with the names of banned coaches made available via the governing body’s official website.

The plan will address recommendations made by Anne Whyte KC across four key areas of safeguarding, complaints handling, standards and education, and governance and oversight, and yield tangible evidence of change within the next two years.

Whyte’s damning 306-page review accused British Gymnastics of enabling a toxic culture that prioritised profit over the well-being of young athletes, and encouraged an era in which they were subjected to shocking levels of emotional and physical abuse.

Powell is adamant that the sport must continue to move away from prioritising medals, and with it the lure of additional funding, in favour of establishing a less performance-driven environment which conversely will better equip athletes for success on the world stage.

Powell said: “Before we talk about medals and performance we need to be talking about the welfare and well-being of our gymnasts. I think if you make the welfare and well-being of athletes central, they will be mentally and physically well prepared to go on and achieve international success.

“We cannot focus on the outcome because we cannot control it. What we can do is focus on making sure they perform to the best of their ability by being