There have been major developments over the last couple of days, none of which would be possible without the courageous voices of Australia's gymnasts past and present.
On Monday evening, prime time news discussion show The Project did an almost-10 minute feature on the athletes coming forward in #GymnastAllianceAUS. This included interview footage from Chloe Gilliland and a video interview by Waleed Aly with Alexandra Eade. Gymnastics Australia did not provide a comment nor a representative for response, but their existing statement was shown on screen.
You can see the full piece as it appeared here, and it is also available on 10Play.
In the last hour this afternoon, GA announced in a new statement at their website and on social media that an official independent investigation will be conducted by the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) into the culture and practices of gymnastics in this country.
Their advice and findings will be published in the first quarter of 2021, and made publicly available here.
"The Commission will facilitate a series of listening and focus groups, seek written submissions and conduct interviews with key stakeholders to understand athlete (both past and present) experiences within the sport. The Commission will also review current policies and practices relating to the safety and wellbeing of athletes and the implementation and governance structures around those policies."
1 comment:
I don’t feel Gymnastics Australia is acknowledging or acting quick enough to recent truths just like in US and the Nassar abuse continued after being reported. All gyms should now have parent viewing either in house or remote, they certainly bring this footage out quick when there is any accident to cover themselves. The familiar echo from all the stories was overuse or back injuries at early age around 12 that either ended or slowed down progress needs to be addressed now. The current numbers and results show the last 2o years of coaches believing as one person they can make a champion is unrealistic. Any programs who have girls crying, blank, unhappy faces should be investigated immediately as this is abuse. Also being told to look like Nadia who was 14 no matter what age you are even an adult or you can’t do gymnastics is abuse. The girls in all current programs need to be protected as they are in fear to speak up themselves that is the culture of gymnastics.
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