Katya dreamed of swimming for Olympic gold but says 'toxic masculinity' caused her to quit the sport

Katya Richardson was a promising national junior swimmer with her sights set on the Olympic trials.

«I started competing [when] I was about 10 years old and I just fell in love with the sport,» she said.

«It's provided me with so many opportunities and privileges and I'm very grateful to be a part of the sport».

But the 19-year-old says she quit competitive swimming because of the alleged behaviour of her coach and what she says is a culture of «toxic masculinity» at her former club in Victoria.

«There were instances where the boys would spray their water bottles in my face when I was walking down the corridor,» Ms Richardson told the ABC.

«I wasn't allowed to take toilet breaks because the boys made it seem as if it was their duty to tell me when I wasn't allowed to go to the toilet.»

She said she was often looked «up and down» and was yelled at for not getting in the pool when she was having anxiety attacks.

Ms Richardson's mother suggested she raise her concerns with her new coach at the Nunawading Swimming Club, Nick Veliades.

«I said to him that I don't feel safe. The boys are taking it upon themselves to pick me up on things,» Ms Richardson said.

«And all he did was raise his hand and put it in front of my face and told me to stop talking and said to me that I need to reflect on … how my actions are causing the boys to behave in this way.

»He didn't let me explain myself and … every time I tried to speak up, he would continue to hold his hand in my face and wouldn't let me talk.

«I left shaking. I got in the car and I had a panic attack.»

In a statement, Mr Veliades said he raised his hand to stop the conversation after it had gone on for 20 minutes and was becoming repetitive and unproductive.

He said the boys were upset with