After a review, it has been discovered that a toxic environment enabled the existence of abusive training practices and bullying in swimming clubs in England for years. The review found that extreme competitiveness created a culture of fear throughout all levels of aquatic sports. Many athletes, volunteers, and parents feared being victimised if they spoke out about concerns to Swim England. Whistleblowers were even threatened.
The report made 21 recommendations and found that 19 safeguarding incidents were reported during the investigation, which were being investigated by Swim England’s welfare team. Racism within swimming also needed to be tackled, with many from ethnically diverse communities feeling like they did not belong in what was viewed as a “white, middle-class sport”. Para swimmers and swimmers with special needs felt overlooked and less valued.
Excessive demands on child athletes meant there was an expectation to train when they were exhausted or injured, leading to many quitting the sport or suffering mental health issues. Many bullying allegations were swept under the carpet by Swim England, while historical reports were often felt to have been dismissed. Those in positions of power were too keen to protect their own, with parents and volunteers fearful of being blacklisted or labelled a troublemaker for speaking up about wrongdoing.
The report was commissioned earlier this year by Swim England after several athletes spoke out about the bullying, emotional abuse, and body-shaming they had suffered. Olympic medallist Cassie Patten was one of them; she won a bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics but lost her love of the sport as she began suffering serious “disordered eating” to lose weight, on her coach’s instructions. The former Team GB swimmer called for change within the sport.
The report is a significant moment for Swim England and everyone involved in the sport more widely. Sport England said the “stark” findings “represented a crossroads moment both for Swim England and everyone involved in the sport more widely”, adding the governing body’s funding was dependent on its ability to change. Swim England apologised for falling short of their desired standards and taking the views in the report seriously
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