Prominent Canadian lawyer to lead review of Gymnastics Canada in wake of abuse allegations

Richard McLaren, who led investigations into Russian doping and corruption in the International Weightlifting Federation, will create Gymnastics Canada's culture review roadmap after athletes spoke out about abusive practices.

McLaren Global Sport Solutions, headed by Canadian law professor McLaren, said Thursday it will work with Gymnastics Canada as the national governing body seeks changes that will allow it to forge higher levels of trust with athletes.

"The sport of gymnastics globally has been facing intense scrutiny and the same is true here in Canada," McLaren said in a news release. "We will be reviewing the findings from international reports and engaging the voices of athletes and other members of the GymCan community."

As part of the consultation process in developing the culture review roadmap, MGSS will speak with athletes and alumni as well as national, provincial and territorial leaders, coaches and parents to identify key issues.

The final report is expected in January 2023.

"It is imperative that Gymnastics Canada gets this right which is why we believe engaging the GymCan community will inform a best-in-class culture review and ideally foster trust in the process," McLaren said.

In late March, a group of more than 70 current and former Canadian gymnasts called for an independent investigation into what they described as a "toxic culture and abusive practices" within their sport in the country.

A day later, Gymnastics Canada said it was saddened to learn that athletes feel the national governing body failed to address concerns of abuse but supported the request for an investigation to oversee the complaints.

The gymnasts, who are and have been members of the Olympic and national team, said in a letter