ZB ZB
Live now
Start time
Playing for
End time
Listen live
Listen to NAME OF STATION
Up next
Listen live on
ZB

What does gymnastics do now after abuse allegations?

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Tue, 4 Aug 2020, 5:26PM
(Photo / Getty)
(Photo / Getty)

What does gymnastics do now after abuse allegations?

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Tue, 4 Aug 2020, 5:26PM

Gymnastics in New Zealand is a sport under pressure.

More past and present gymnasts have now come forward, after allegations of abuse at one of the country's most prestigious gymnastics programmes.

The claims follow a similar arc -  young girls who loved the sport, but then had their dreams and their enjoyment crushed by coaches pressuring them, yelling at them, making them feel worthless.

Is there a way forward for the sport?

Dr Georgia Cervin, a former New Zealand gymnast and an honorary research fellow in sport history at the University of Western Australia, told Kate Hawkesby that she is not surprised by these allegations as there have long been claims around the world. 

"This has been going on a long time, but this is the first time it has happened at once around the world."

She says many gymnasts have been brainwashed into believing emotional abuse is acceptable.

Dr Cervin says that there is a need for new role models to change the culture. 

LISTEN ABOVE

Take your Radio, Podcasts and Music with you