More than a dozen former Canadian gymnasts have filed a class action claim for various psychological and physical abuse they allegedly suffered over a period of several years.
Amelia Cline is at the origin of the complaint, and about twenty other potential victims would have joined her so far.
These athletes wish to sue Gymnastics Canada and the provincial sports federations of Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, British Columbia and Saskatchewan.
Cline was coached by Vladimir and Svetlana Lashin at the Omega Gymnastics Sports Center, located in Coquitlam, BC.
Legal documents indicate that Cline, who allegedly experienced various abuses during his training, still suffers from physical and psychological disorders, in addition to the injuries.
In the class action lawsuit, she claims to have experienced training-induced distress, chronic neck and back injuries and resulting chronic pain, torn hamstrings, multiple fractures to one hand, wrist, fingers and toes, chronic knee pain, eating disorders, growth retardation, anxiety, insomnia and recurrent nightmares.
Other members of the application claim to have been sexually assaulted. So far, none of these allegations have been proven in court.
Gymnastics Canada, Gymnastics BC and the Omega Club have yet to respond to CP’s requests for comment.
This request for collective action comes after a dozen active and retired gymnasts sent a letter to the Minister of Sports of Canada, Pascale St-Onge, to denounce the mistreatment in their sport.