Following reports of eating disorders, mental health issues, and bullying in swimming, Swim England has issued an apology to swimmers who have been abused by coaches.
Cassie Patten, an Olympic medalist, stated that she had “eating disorder” for years due to her coaches’ negative comments. After feeling “broken” and sacrificing much of her childhood to focus on swimming, Patten won bronze in the 10km open water event at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Phoebe Lenderyou, winner of the youth gold medal at the Commonwealth Games, disclosed her own five-year struggle with bulimia, inspiring more than 100 other swimmers to join an online support group. Many of them reported coaches who engaged in relentless bullying, humiliating public weigh-ins, and fat-shaming.
Jane Nickerson, the director of Swim England, stated that recent events demonstrated the need for change in aquatics. An independent review will involve swimmers and coaches in order to “do everything possible to create the positive, safe, and welcoming environment and culture that we all desire.”
Patten stated that it was crucial for unhappy swimmers to be able to express themselves and to abandon obsolete coaching practises. She also urged individuals not to view as weak those who speak out against emotional abuse.
Following two separate investigations into City of Oxford Swimming Club and Ellesmere College Titans, this report has been released. Richard Hookway, chairman of Swim England’s board, stated that the organisation was determined to obtain a “honest, comprehensive reflection of the culture within aquatics now and historically.”
Cassie Patten, an Olympic medalist, is advocating for mandatory training for coaches and has a message for victims of abuse: “Giving someone the respect they deserve is not being a snowflake.”
Swim England has issued an apology following reports of abuse suffered by swimmers. Cassie Patten, an Olympic medalist, stated that she had “eating disorder” for years due to her coaches’ negative comments.
After sharing her five-year struggle with bulimia, Commonwealth youth gold medalist Phoebe Lenderyou inspired more than 100 other swimmers to join an online support group. The BBC reported that persistent bullying, humiliating public weigh-ins, fat-shaming, and training on injuries had harmed many swimmers.
Jane Nickerson, the head of Swim England, stated that recent events demonstrated the need for change in aquatics and vowed to “do everything” to eradicate a bullying culture. The findings of an independent review involving swimmers and coaches will be published, and an expert will be appointed to hear the opinions of everyone involved in the sport.
Patten is advocating for mandatory training for coaches on a regular basis and has urged victims of abuse not to be silenced.
Patten, addressing the need for cultural change, stated, “What was acceptable ten to twenty years ago may no longer be acceptable today. We must also engage in respectful competition. It should be acceptable for swimmers to express dissatisfaction and to deviate from coaching norms.
Swim England is also conducting a separate investigation into how it handled complaints following the closure of Ellesmere College Titans in response to a damning report and an investigation into City of Oxford Swimming Club.
Richard Hookway, chairman of the organization’s board, stated, “We recognise we must continuously strive to improve in order to foster a positive culture and provide for the individuals who are the lifeblood of our aquatic sports.”
Cassie Patten, an Olympic medalist, has called for mandatory training for coaches and urged victims of abuse not to be discouraged from speaking out. Swim England has rolled out its safeguarding and welfare plan, The Heart of Aquatics, and is conducting a separate review of how it handled complaints in response to reports of bullying and abuse.
