Amy Tinkler accuses British Gymnastics of 'hanging athletes out to dry' amid bullying claims

Olympic gymnastics medallist Amy Tinkler has accused British Gymnastics of “hanging gymnasts out to dry” over the handling of her complaint over alleged bullying and abuse within the system.

Tinkler quit the sport in January because of her “experiences as a club and elite gymnast”, a month after lodging a complaint to the sport’s governing body.

Last month, she was told that the investigation into part of her complaint against national head coach Amanda Reddin, who has denied any wrongdoing, had been closed but in an open letter to British Gymnastics CEO, Jane Allen, said on Wednesday she was still awaiting answers.

“It’s been 271 days since I submitted my complaint and 25 days since I was abruptly told by email that my complaint into Amanda Reddin and British Gymnastics was closed,” she said. “I’ve emailed British Gymnastics three times asking for an explanation or summary outcome. I’ve received nothing.

“I have spoken with key people that helped me whilst I was on the performance programme and none have been contacted by British Gymnastics to discuss my complaint or aid an investigation.

“I was promised a summary outcome. Now you say this isn’t possible due to ‘employee privacy rights’. You have shared details of the outcome (and the respondent’s version of events) when concluding other cases.

“All I ask Jane is for you to be honest, to be open and lead as a CEO should. Please help me. Please help all of us gymnasts and stop hanging us out to dry.”

In a lengthy statement, Tinkler also listed her correspondence with British Gymnastics from the start of last month, including many to which she says she has received no reply.

In a response to her latest comments, British Gymnastics said: “We apologise to Amy for any issues with our communications around her complaint. She deserves answers and we have offered to meet her either in person or virtually so we can talk through the answers to her questions.”