More than 70 Canadian gymnasts are calling for an investigation into what they say is a toxic culture and abusive practices in their sport at home.
In a letter to Sport Canada CEO Vicki Walker, current and retired athletes said fear of reprisal had kept them from speaking out for nearly a decade.
“However, we can no longer sit in silence,” the letter reads. We share our experiences of abuse, neglect and discrimination in hopes of bringing about change. »
According to the letter, there have been multiple complaints and even arrests for various forms of emotional, physical and sexual abuse.
The complaints targeted Canadian coaches with whom many athletes had contact when they were minors.
Former Canadian coach Dave Brubaker was banned for life by Gymnastics Canada in 2021 following an internal investigation. Brubaker was found not guilty of sexual assault and sexual exploitation in 2019 after being accused of sexually assaulting a young gymnast years ago. He was arrested in December 2017.
“We know there are many more examples of harm that have yet to come to light, and we know that abusive behavior continues in gyms across the country today,” the gymnasts wrote Monday.
“The current Board and CEO of GymCan have failed to address these issues and have failed to gain the trust of athletes. »
They pointed out that athlete complaints are currently being directed to Gymnastics Canada President and CEO Ian Moss, who “wields significant power over athletes’ careers,” rather than an independent third party.
The athletes are calling for an independent investigation, saying the complaints to Gymnastics Canada have not been heard. They call for the survey to incorporate the experiences of current and retired athletes and include public disclosure of recommendations and findings.
Multiple complaints in the sports world
The letter comes a month after a group of nearly 90 former and current Canadian bobsleigh and skeleton athletes wrote to their national body demanding the resignation of their high performance director and interim CEO.
“We also express our solidarity with our fellow athletes from other sports who have courageously called for change in similar ways, including bobsleigh and skeleton athletes who are currently advocating for a similar investigation into their national governing body,” the authors wrote. gymnasts.
The letter is signed by 71 Canadian gymnasts past and present, including Olympic athletes and national team members.
It was sent to Canada’s Minister of Sport, Pascale St-Onge, the President of the Canadian Olympic Committee, Tricia Smith, the Executive Director of Own the Podium, Anne Merklinger, and the President of Gymnastics Canada, Ian Moss.
We are witnessing a growing chorus of complaints from athletes. Rowing Canada announced last month that it intends to conduct an independent review of its high performance culture and governance in the wake of concerns expressed by members of the rowing community in late 2021 and early 2022.
And an independent review of Rugby Canada’s high performance programs has painted a damning picture of a dysfunctional organization at odds with its athletes, staff and fans.
Global Athlete, a global athlete-led movement that was founded to balance power between athletes and administrators, sent the letter on behalf of the gymnasts.