Former gymnasts coach Liz Kincaid denies 'mistreating' athletes

Former British Gymnastics coach Liz Kincaid has denied ‘mistreating’ athletes after it emerged she was axed from the team for last summer’s Olympics following a complaint.

Kincaid was due to be part of the Team GB delegation in Tokyo until an allegation was made about the mental health of one of her former gymnasts, just weeks before the Games.

British Gymnastics launched an investigation but Kincaid, who then retired last July, has rejected the claims.

‘The health, well-being and safety of the gymnasts under my care and tuition was of paramount importance to me and a matter close to my heart,’ she told the BBC. 

‘To suggest I would mistreat the gymnasts goes against every principle I live by and is very upsetting.’

The Whyte Review, an independent inquiry into allegations of abuse within gymnastics, is due to be published at the end of next month, with British Gymnastics promising reforms.