Gymnasts take legal action against British Gymnastics

On 26th February 2021, Hausfeld served a Letter of Claim on British Gymnastics on behalf of 17 former British gymnasts - including 4 Olympians. The Letter outlines allegations of systemic physical and psychological abuse perpetrated by coaches, and other personnel employed by British Gymnastics, upon children as young as six.

The claims

The individual athletes allege that during training and competitions they were subjected to persistent abuse that has caused them to sustain serious and continuing psychological and physical damage. The alleged abuse was perpetrated by coaches and others employed by British Gymnastics (the national governing body for the sport) at various clubs across the UK, all of which were affiliated with the governing body. At this stage, the victims are all women, who at the time of the abuse were aged between 6 and 23. The current age range of claimants is between 15 and 43 years old.

The claims seek: (i) fundamental reform of the sport of gymnastics; (ii) an end to abusive coaching practices; and (iii) compensation for the victims of these abusive practices. For more info.

We asked victims of abusive gymnastic coaching practices to step forward; we heard their stories; and discussed how we can fundamentally reform the sport and help right a wrong. We now represent 38 gymnasts.

Is there any risk?

We are carrying out all legal and investigatory work on a no win no fee basis. Our lawyers are specialists in group and collective claims. We are working with an expert legal team including sports and personal injury lawyers including Sir Anthony Hooper, Nick De Marco QC, Jonathan Crystal, Satya Jeremie, Eric Lewis and Philip Turton.

Media

The case has been reported widely in the press:

BBC Sport
BBC News - article onearticle two
BT
Daily Mail
ITV News
Law360 (subscription only)
Legal Week (subscription only)
Reuters
Sky News
Sky Sports
The Guardian - article onearticle two
The Telegraph - article onearticle two
The Times 
Yahoo Sports