Young gymnasts were abused at WA Institute of Sport

The Institute of Sport in Western Australia has apologized after an independent review concluded that some of its gymnasts were abused.

Sport Integrity Australia determined that it was “reasonably plausible” that some gymnasts were abused or harmed at the WAIS.

Some gymnasts were required to exercise and compete while injured, while others were subjected to intense training loads.

‘The courage displayed by these gymnasts in sharing their stories will result in substantial change,’ said SIA CEO David Sharpe on Wednesday.

The SIA inquiry discovered that the program lacked an efficient complaints procedure.

‘One of the key reasons these behaviors could occur was that there were no enough independent supervision mechanisms… or a channel for complaints in place,’ Sharpe explained.

According to WAIS chairman Neil McLean, the WAIS approved four proposals, including a “restorative” approach with impacted gymnasts.

To the women who reported such distressing experiences, we have listened to you,’ McLean said.

‘To those who experienced abuse and harm, we apologise.

‘We are sorry that your experiences were painful rather than enjoyable and we apologise for the elements of the WAIS program that failed you.’

The SIA investigation also found WAIS policies governing the gymnastics program failed to ‘adequately protect some of the gymnasts’.

About 800 athletes, including nine Olympians, went through the WAIS gym program which was ceased for financial reasons in 2016.

‘It is vital for everyone involved in our elite sporting community, including the gymnasts who raised these allegations, to know that we accept the report’s recommendations,’ McLean said.

‘Prior to the report being commissioned, WAIS already developed and implemented policies that go some way to addressing the areas for improvement.’

In May last year, Gymnastics Australia apologised after a ‘confronting’ Australian Human Rights Commission report found cases of abuse and systemic cultural problems in the sport.