Canadian gymnasts file class action suit alleging years of physical and sexual abuse

A group of Canadian gymnasts has launched a class action lawsuit against Gymnastics Canada and six affiliated provincial organizations, alleging that the sport’s governing bodies turned a blind eye to years of physical, sexual and psychological abuse by coaches and other officials.

The proposed class action lawsuit, filed Wednesday in BC Supreme Court, alleges that Gymnastics Canada presided over an abusive culture in which athletes were subjected to inappropriate and sexualized touching by coaches, pushed into dangerous eating disorders and regularly subjected to threats and humiliation.

Some, including minors, were forced to train while injured and pushed to perform skills beyond their capabilities, resulting in serious injuries, while parents were prevented from observing practices, the suit alleges.

“This action stems from the physical, sexual and psychological abuse of gymnasts in Canada while they were under the care and control of the provincial gymnastics organization in their jurisdiction and Gymnastics Canada,” it says.

“Globally, the sport of gymnastics has come under scrutiny for its culture of cruelty,” the documents say. “Factors such as a ‘win at all costs’ approach, young and mostly female gymnasts, and inherent power imbalances, coupled with a culture of control and widespread tolerance of abusive behavior have led to the creation of an environment where abuse and mistreatment of athletes are common.”

None of the accusations have been proven in court. The proposed class action lawsuit is led by Amelia Cline, a former gymnast who left the sport in the mid-2000s because of an allegedly abusive coach. Ms. Cline is listed as the lead plaintiff in the documents, but at least 15 other gymnasts have joined the class action as of Wednesday.

Gymnastics Canada could not be immediately reached for comment. The suit also names provincial governing bodies in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec.

Nigel Loring, CEO of Gymnastics BC, said the organization learned of the lawsuit on Wednesday and could not immediately respond to the allegations.

“As we have not yet received official notification or legal documents, GymBC is not in a position to comment at this time,” Mr. Loring said.

The gymnasts allege that the governing bodies failed to adequately protect the athletes.

“The Defendants caused or contributed to the abuse of gymnasts by creating a culture and environment in which abuse could occur and by failing to take adequate steps to protect the athletes under their care and control, many of whom were children at the time. the abuse occurred. ”, the lawsuit alleges.

Ms Cline, now 32, was a 14-year-old rising star in Canadian gymnastics when she tore her hamstring so badly it tore out a bone fragment. She was training at BC and says it happened when her trainer, demanding that she train more of her, grabbed her leg and forced her to stretch dangerously, ignoring her cries of pain.

Two months later, still recovering from the injury, he practiced again. His coach ordered him to execute a specific series of flips that he hadn’t practiced enough and that she didn’t feel ready to try. As her teammates looked on, she landed on her head. Although she avoided a potentially catastrophic neck injury, her face was left bloodied.

Upset, the trainer took her to his office and placed her on a scale, Cline recalled in an interview, telling her that the real reason she couldn’t execute the complex maneuver was not because she hadn’t practiced it, but because she wasn’t up to it. thin enough.

Gymnasts at the club had been instructed behind closed doors on how to refuse food at home, how to push it around their plates without eating it, and how to lie about eating disorders to their parents. At least one young gymnast was encouraged to purge before weekly weigh-ins by team staff, Cline said in the interview.

“Amelia’s experience of abuse is representative of what many gymnasts in Canada endure,” the lawsuit says. “Numerous gymnasts from across Canada have filed decades-spanning complaints detailing their experiences of sexual, physical and psychological abuse and the institutional complicity that has allowed a culture of mistreatment of female gymnastic athletes to persist.”

In addition to physical abuse, such as slapping, pinching, and overtraining, as well as psychological abuse, such as belittling and ignoring athletes who did not perform, the lawsuit alleges sexual abuse of unidentified gymnasts. The claims include “inappropriate sexual contact and sexual activity, such as grabbing, kissing, and sexual fondling.”

The athletes allege that Gymnastics Canada condoned the abuse or turned a blind eye, and instead rewarded and promoted coaches who produced results. The national governing body, along with provincial organizations, also created an environment that “deterred athletes from reporting abuse” and failed to properly investigate concerns when they arose, the suit alleges.

In March, a group of 71 former and current Canadian gymnasts, including 10 Olympians, sent an open letter to Sport Canada calling for an independent investigation into problems in their sport, which they said Gymnastics Canada failed to properly investigate or address. Since then, the letter has been signed by hundreds of athletes and parents. Bobsleigh, skeleton and boxing athletes have issued similar open letters calling for investigations into abuse within their sports in recent months.

Gymnastics Canada’s board said in March it was concerned about the letter and pledged to “continue to educate and advocate for system-wide reforms that help all participants feel respected, included and safe when they train and compete.” The board added: “We agree that many more supports need to be put in place to address unsafe practices in sport.”

In April, the judge presiding over the trial of disgraced American gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar, who was convicted of sexually assaulting more than 150 athletes, threw her support behind Canadian gymnasts and urged the government to give in to her calls for an independent investigation. .

Ms. Cline, who is one of the gymnasts who signed the March letter, said legal action is also necessary because several athletes face lifelong consequences from their experiences, including medical bills for physical pain and psychological trauma.

The gymnasts say they have suffered from a wide range of problems, from chronic pain, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and suicidal thoughts to lifelong eating disorders, stunted growth and development, addictions and anger issues.

The sexual trauma has left some unable to develop and maintain intimate relationships, the documents say. Others have lost their jobs due to their injuries and have been left with the expenses stemming from the abuse, including therapy.

The claims in the lawsuit date back to 1978. Although the federal government is establishing new systems to oversee independent investigations into allegations of abuse by athletes, Ms. Cline said those processes will not necessarily help gymnasts who have suffered abuse in the last. , nor are they designed to address the systemic change within the sport that athletes are seeking. For those reasons, the lawsuit became necessary, she said.

“I think it has become apparent that there really isn’t any mechanism within the existing sports system to ensure some accountability for these institutions and to offer some level of justice to people who have been wronged,” said Ms Cline. “That’s what this lawsuit is really designed to do: send the message that you cannot allow systemic abuse to exist within your organization or you will be held accountable for it.”

Last year, a group of Canadian synchronized swimmers filed a proposed class action lawsuit against Canada Artistic Swimming, also claiming their abuse concerns were ignored and legal action was necessary. Those accusations have also not been proven in court. That suit, now involving more than 50 swimmers, is still seeking certification.

Ms Cline said the purpose of the legal action is to help the gymnasts deal with the long-term consequences of the alleged abuse.

“We know that there are many in our community who are in desperate need of treatment for both their physical and psychological injuries. And the financial aspect of the lawsuit is really designed to ensure that they can access that type of treatment,” he said.

Global Athlete, an advocacy group representing amateur athletes, said problems have long been talked about within the sport, but solutions have been slow in coming.

“Gymnastics athletes have been talking for years and nothing has been done,” said Rob Koehler, CEO of Global Athlete in Montreal, which collaborated on the recent open letter issued by gymnasts.

“Over 450 gymnasts showed up… The response from Canadian sports leaders is to have meetings and more meetings. These meetings do not bring closure to victims, nor do they hold those responsible for the abuse to account,” said Mr. Koehler.

“Sport has shown that it is not fit for the purpose of self-regulation. Complaints have been filed and very little is being done…As a result, the civil route is the only option.”