WA Institute of Sport apologises again for three decades of gymnast abuse after first attempt ‘fell short’

WA’s Institute of Sport has issued a fresh apology to women who were abused while training as gymnasts over three decades, conceding its initial efforts at contrition “fell short”. An independent review by Sport Integrity Australia investigated the culture of WAIS’ artistic gymnastics program between 1987 and 2016, which aimed to turn the young athletes into Olympic medallists, using harsh training practices notoriously employed in Russia, a world leader in gymnastics. Reporting in April last year on the finding, SIA said it was “reasonably likely” that some of the girls “suffered abuse and/or harm” such as verbal and physical abuse, fat-shaming and unnecessary skinfold testing. WAIS accepted four recommendations, including a “restorative” process with affected gymnasts, while WAIS chairman Neil McLean said: “To the women who reported such distressing experiences, we have listened to you”. On Friday, WAIS issued a letter to them, admitting that first apology was not enough. “We have reflected on the past apology and understand why it needed to be re-assessed,” the board wrote. “As we prepare to invite you to participate in the restorative process, we would like to provide you with an updated apology. “To read what you have been through has been deeply upsetting and we want to express our heartfelt apology to every gymnast who has suffered as a result of the time you spent in the WAIS Gymnastics program. “We are sorry.” The restorative process, facilitated by the Department of Justice, offers face-to-face apologies involving a professional mediator or by formal letter, with all attendance on a voluntary basis. Former WAIS gymnast Julia Murcia gave a dim assessment of last year’s apology - describing it as “badly delivered” media spin - and cautiously welcomed the fresh apology as “a step in the right direction”. But Ms Murcia was sceptical the perpetrators would have any appetite to front the women. “None of them have suffered any consequences,” she told The West Australian. “Unless you’ve actually sanctioned coaches and shown them that there are repercussions for this behaviour, of course they are going to keep on doing it because at the end of the day, all they want to do is win. “I think they need to get tougher or nothing is going to change.” Ann-Maree Vallence, a member of Gymnast Alliance Australia formed by Ms Murcia to represent the women, agreed. “I personally accept this apology and I welcome it,” she told The West. But those who engaged in the abuse or turned a blind eye to it needed to be held accountable, she said, calling on Gymnastics Australia to sanction the relevant coaches. Dr Vallence said that as part of the restorative process, WAIS should provide ongoing treatment for physical and mental trauma the women had endured, including extremely painful fused vertebrae and another woman who was forced to have a hip replacement aged just 16. “These are chronic and long-term physical issues,” she said. Others suffered post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and eating disorders. Dr Vallence said it had taken years to process what had happened and her memories of training from dawn ‘til dusk remained negative. “Some were as young as five,” she said, recalling the coaches falsely believed that children had to be trained intensively from a very young age to succeed. “It blows my mind ... sport should be inclusive and healthy.” She agreed with Ms Murcia that there had been very positive changes within WAIS including new chair, Priya Cooper, turning the organisation around. They both also praised the Department of Justice and Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries. “They’ve been fabulous and I think pulled WAIS kicking and screaming but we got there,” Ms Murcia said. “I really feel there has been a shift within the Department of Sport: they now have a director of child safety, which they’ve never had before. “I think this kind of ripple effect goes further than just WAIS and gymnastics ... they’ve realised that abuse in sport has been overlooked for many years.” Problems remained in gymnastics, Ms Murcia said, with pushing the athletes too hard a key problem. WAIS declined to comment while Gymnastics WA is being sought for comment.