Olympic medalist Nile Wilson speaks of “culture of abuse” in UK gymnastics - BBC News

The Olympic medalist Nile Wilson has condemned what he called a “culture of abuse” in British gymnastics. He said athletes are being treated “like pieces of meat”.
The 24-year-old, who won bronze at Rio 2016, is the highest profile male gymnast to speak out after a series of recent allegations of mistreatment in the sport.
Fiona Bruce presents a BBC News at Ten exclusive report by sports editor Dan Roan.
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[@AlvinLee007]

He is a gem. Any country would be lucky to have him join their ranks.

[@andyd3447]

He is traumatized. You can tell. These disgusting owners are money and power hungry. The entire organzation needs to be held accountable.

[@Jac-Jay]

@Jimmy Durex find the truth funny?

[@chloetdg4622]

So true. This breaks my heart

[@dsgrbrowne1]

He has a KZbin channel, he went through some tough times...

[@andyd3447]

@@dsgrbrowne1 Most elite athletes do. High level sports is full of abuse that no one talks about becuase its all about the money. It truly is a sad reality of life.

[@hannahgallardo3745]

It’s sad that by speaking out he could miss out on a spot at Tokyo 😕

[@C-qc657]

He's too good, surely they won't drop him

[@lizlopez6342]

@@C-qc657 Being good doesn't always mean that you have a spot, there have been athletes that have lost their olympic spots because they have spoken out some problems, check the case of Viktor Ahn he was bullied by its own team, he spoke up and was dropped out by the team organization even though he was the best in the world

[@C-qc657]

@@lizlopez6342 who is viktor? I think if you're the best surely your place is safe, I mean usain liked to party but was never dropped 😂

[@lizlopez6342]

@@C-qc657 here is a video of his medals kzbin.info/www/bejne/j2iXpYqZjNqJe8k

[@C-qc657]

@@lizlopez6342 oh wow ok, that's really unfortunate 🙁 don't really follow speed skating I guess that overcompetitiveness exists in a lot of Olympic sports not just gymnastics huh

[@rivergladesgardenrailroad8834]

It's not just Gymnastics. A young kid is treated like cannon fodder in lots of other sports as well. Swimming, cycling, tennis spring to mind. There is huge pressure. But if you want to get to the top you have to go through hell. That's what the coaches say. It's like being in the army....

[@pez---]

Worse hell than never being pushed, despite your potential, and living a life of mediocrity wondering what could have been?

[@andyd3447]

Go through hell as in training not by being abused....

[@unclesleven7256]

@@andyd3447 Exactly push hard and train to the highest standard but you've got to be careful where the line is. Push too hard and that is definitely abuse as well as teh psychological effects of the pressure top athletes go through.

[@andyd3447]

@@unclesleven7256 . They tell them that they suck, that they are never good enough and that someone will come and take their place if they dont constantly train past the point of exhaustion.. Its abusive and dangerous. These athletes are mentally stronger than i can ever be thats for sure.

[@MissingSirius]

@@pez--- There is a difference between training hard and being abused. Besides, for every one champion there are hundreds of young athletes who were thrown aside, broken. Coaches don't care if they have to ruin the lives of dozens of kids to get their one champion.

[@fgorlando]

I’ve followed Nile’s KZbin channel for years. He is an extraordinary human being and I don’t see why there would be any ulterior motive here from his part. Seems he’s simply speaking the truth and 100% deserves to go to Tokyo based on his own achievements and merit.

[@grantmalone]

Did he say anything on his channel about the altercation mentioned in this video? I've watched some of his videos but never heard about that. From just watching this video I don't even have a vague idea what happened. It's possible that he was in the wrong, though thinks he was right and is angry he wasn't agreed with. Or he could be in the right and right to complain. With no details there's no way to tell.

[@annablanco6144]

He retired before Tokyo due to injuries

[@nicolejade9558]

You can see his sincerity and heart as he looks in his eyes while telling his truth. It takes great courage to be completely transparent and honest about this topic. He is using his voice and his platform to not just stand up for himself but for everyone in this sport. I applaud his bravery and integrity.

[@millacabral9475]

So this is why he left Leeds. I wonder what that altercation was that turned into something so serious and damaging. It's horrible that this is still the norm in many places and sports :(

[@dsgrbrowne1]

Nile Wilson is such a down to earth guy. I follow him on KZbin, where he talks more about the abuse and other struggles he has gone through.

[@Prince_ee]

Sorry to hear that. I hope things will get better for you after speaking out. Stay strong 🧡

[@gosikh]

Abuse in sports is universal, at every level. What needs to change is how we coach athletes. Some countries like China create atheletes from childhood with nothing but abuse.

[@jackbartlett6936]

as someone who was abused myself i can now feel whole knowing that I wasn't the only one who went through it, i was bullied endlessly by my coaches and teammates and soon became an outcast in my own team with no one liking me, resulting in me quitting. Even though i achieved a lot become runner up champions in brain it still scars me ti this day knowing i could have left way sooner instead of letting them keep doing it.

[@chloeburrows789]

Sorry that u had to go through that, I’m glad u quit.

[@Gymtoshi]

You are 100% not alone, reading your story was like reading mine, word for word. The worst part is, you try so hard to appease everyone around you and to no avail. It’s never fecking enough for these people. I ended on an injury though. My coach caused me to break my back. I did gymnastics on it for 4 years before it was found because my coaches told me I was being “dramatic” they told me it was “just back muscles” smh

[@gr8god4u]

Those independent outside agencies need to investigate the hell out of the entire system all the way to the top like the sports need.

[@perryfranz8165]

It is always about the medals, and only gold counts.

[@b.visconti1765]

Now is the time to come forward!! People have not much to do but listen and watch what's happening in the world..

[@akaMissFierce]

Wishing Nile all the best! I've been following his journey on youtube for a few years now and was shocked when he left the Leeds gym. I'm so sorry this happened to him, and it sounds like it's happened/happening to many others. I hope the sport makes a positive change after gymnasts like Nile and others continue to speak out.

[@jn5859]

I believe him when he says something bad happened. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that his mental health went severely downhill after his split from Leeds. This is a guy who is in a lot of pain. His actions are consistent with someone who is trying to deal with trauma. I truly hope that he can continue to find his voice and be heard. I don’t know exactly what happened, but I’m on his side on this one.

[@LoyaFrostwind]

If abuse is what makes us competitive with China and Russia, that's really sad. We've been abusing our athletes. And they've also been going along with it, in pursuit of gold medals and the resulting commercial endorsements. Again, sad.

[@mariafrias2500]

Brave. Be strong. Others need you

[@AC-yc7lu]

Omg. This is awful. At the moment he asked him if he was abused... his eyes, his hands. You can still see, hear... how he is still AFRAID of talking.

[@chloetdg4622]

This absolutely breaks my heart. 😢 This is absolutely unacceptable and no one deserves to be treated in such a horrible way no matter the sport. Justice need to be given to any athlete that is effected in all sports. 💗💗💗ENOUGH IS ENOUGH people lives and felling matter 😡😡😡

[@vikrantkulkarni1241]

Wow, That was a bit of a surprise. More power to him.

[@SiobhanMcGrath72]

Finally the TRUTH is co out...

[@dirdib69]

It must have been very hard for his family to see this, though I suspect he let them know it was coming. I'm sure they are very proud of him for speaking out.

[@daiseycasey2718]

We stand with Nile! It’s ridiculous the power they hold in their hands whether you are picked or not! It should only be about talent!

[@gabriellangton5137]

I'm sorry but you clearly don't understand what it takes to go to the olympics, talent is absolutely nothing without hardwork

[@osakaboyz]

Many parents regard hard coaches better than soft coaches.

[@trildi]

Yes, but it should not equal abuse.

[@Dokterpedia]

what's the latest news update?

[@nancyhobson9710]

"Culture of abuse?" I know all about that. In another connection. I need the urgent help of the Foreign Office.

[@Mr.Unacceptable]

"Culture of abuse?" I'd say the police ignoring wholesale rape of children for 20 years for fear of being called racist is a culture of abuse. This was just a bunch of pedophiles.

[@pablo9364]

Why is he speaking to BBC . He should have picked a more credible news outlet

[@millacabral9475]

"In British Gymnastics it doesn't get much bigger than Nile Wilson", right because Max Whitlock's five Olympic medals were a coincidence or something. Like, obviously Nile is more famous because of KZbin, but he's not the "biggest" British gymnast, come on.

[@JanitaShowaars]

Excellence shouldn’t be forced, it should be cultivated. Treating a human being and its gifts as another win for history at all costs for your personal gain is disgusting.

[@Jen-Yueh_Hu]

Discipline is required to achieve the highest levels. That is how it is in any competitive environment. Olympic athletes are capable of feats far beyond average human beings and they do not gain that without pain. Sports is a form of education; do not allow it to be infiltrated by populists. What needs to be done is to have a good reward system. They might get "abused" but they should also be justly rewarded for their commitment and achievements. Too many athletes just get discarded after their careers are over.

[@rivergladesgardenrailroad8834]

Jen - they do indeed...

[@truii6314]

Mhm, there have been multiple stories in China of athletes picked at 5 years old who are put into a training camp for their whole life and if they aren’t good enough to go to the olympics by the time they are an adult they are chucked out with no degrees and a lack of education. Many end up homeless.

[@Jen-Yueh_Hu]

@@truii6314 Yeah that's the real problem. The training process is supposed to be hard and people of every profession in this world go through all sorts of challenges to get to the top. Whatever "abuse", as long as it is professionally done, is simply to push the individual to a higher level. But for those who don't make it or are past their prime, there needs to be some kind of safety net. The interviewee did not even state definitively what abuse he went through. The me2 people were at least clear with their allegations.

[@1Up2081]

Goody. The gym coach abuse has spread from the US.

[@The_Greedy_Orphan]

Slight difference, the abuse in the US was sexual abuse, this is more pushing athletes too hard to get medals I guess.

[@FINALB]

It happens all the over the world, in different leagues and categories.

[@Verbsdescribeus]

in my country there has been the same issue...

[@d818581dd]

So what exactly are the claims being made? How can anyone judge the claims being made if the allegation aren't specific?

[@terrystephens1102]

There needs to be a complete , independent review of British Gymnastics.

[@stripemcr5722]

no disrespect but many ppl feel this pain in the UK who earn 7.90 an hour for backbreaking job that barely pays their bills !

[@givenscommunications6307]

This is NOT a shock. I’m sure our friends in the UK know what’s happening Across The Pond in the USA. We had a male doctor for the female USAGymnastics using his fingers on the girls claiming it was medically necessary! Yeah he’s in prison now but that USAGymnastics to this day is trying so hard to defend its honor and blackball many of the girls who spoke up. USAG has totally failed these girls. On the other hand I think some of these coaches are living through these kids trying to bully them into doing what they couldn’t themselves do. So far no big named male gymnasts in the USA has spoken up.

[@ahavens2463]

I guarantee it's worse in Russia and China. The last Olympics the Chinese ladies looked starved and sad. I couldn't even watch a few of the Chinese ladies without thinking how badly they needed a cheeseburger or something. A culture of dying to win. It's so sad.

[@ellamorris931]

Its been going on for the last 20 years, and it's not just coach to athlete. It's coach to coach as well. I love the sport to death but its culture is abusive and toxic and the higher up the pyramid you go the worse it gets

[@unknownuser_99]

GBR Gymnastics speaks trash, a reflection of itself.

[@oanamanole9005]

Nobody has achieved much in gymnastics without abuse. The top people have been beaten, swore at and emotionally abused all around. Let me not even begin to think about gymnastics in Romania, China and Russia if he'd scared in England

[@nillaskat1]

Proud of you for standing up for yourself and the others

[@theliedetector6863]

Imagine the BBC reporting on a culture of abuse. 😄

[@majorskies7091]

Why you uploading at 01:16? Sure I'm up too but...

[@maias3061]

YoU aRe ThE sUnShInE iN mY lIfE. Miss this, so glad he spoke out! Love the brand plug too haha. Love you Nile x

[@hippopolaxe]

This is not new. It's high time to put light on the abuses over kids and teenagers in sports

[@mokari9268]

What exactly is he speaking out about though, being overworked, working through injuries, any particular injury, or incident or just in general he isn’t satisfied with the treatment he received as an athlete? Genuinely confused here if anyone can clarify please.

[@patty221]

He had serious injuries they pushed him to work through causing him to miss important competitions since he was too injured to compete.

[@mokari9268]

@@patty221 ok thanks for letting me know, hope everything gets better.

[@amberwebb7298]

Talented people show their talents to the world to inspire others. Yet even though it works it turns into the hungry hungry hippo game. When money gets involved its unbearable, the term 'make or break' has a completely different meaning.

[@SirIsaacTheRed]

I know who I believe Nile. And it’s not British Gymnastics. All of you Olympic athletes are tools to them to get medals and hence money to pay for their salaries and get glory off your backs. And it’s not just gymnastics. Cycling has had its fair share and I’m sure a little digging will reveal more. Win at all costs culture. In other less liberal regimes they do this to their athletes for political reasons. You can guess which countries those are. In liberal countries it’s all about money. A ruthless culture coming from the top and passed on to the coaches. You are so brave for speaking out and risking being targeted for doing so. This is how such organizations operate. With a culture of silence so nobody dares criticize them. I’ve watched your documentary and I know you have managed to overcome worse. Be strong!

[@SirIsaacTheRed]

And to preempt some replies, hard work and training and putting in long hours is not a synonym to verbal and physical abuse, bullying, being made to feel small, threats and total lack of empathy and compassion.

[@f1fakemaskshow151]

I said this was the case years ago in UK sports, such as gymnastics.

[@Dstew57A]

Abuse is not OK so don’t accept it but if you are the problem because you cant take others opinions about how you train..get the hell out of olympic training

[@kirstinetermansen3227]

Write a book,. Print it yourself

[@unknownuser_99]

How many more confessions will it take? How much publicity do gymnastics federations need before they actually do something about this mess, besides sprout linguistic riff-raff? Already, gymnasts have died (like Christy Henrich from an eating disorder and Julissa Gomez from a dangerous vault. Somehow, fans now glorify the coach of these two Americans. Apparently, he's 'changed', yet encountered complaints from as late as 2009.) and officials don't seem to care about these *CHILDREN.* It's a public disgrace, for which most survivors have gained no closure, no reward for their bravery; few abusers have been punished. Abuse is embedded within the system. I cannot distinguish it from the beauty I so love. Probes to Nile for speaking up, not that much will change. 😒 He seems like a genuine guy. I wish him luck for the future.

[@ART-gr9zn]

th is time we must cling to each other, we do not want racism, we do not want to hate each other, we accept each other with our differences and we must help Lebanon and I hope that 2020 will be peace and love💕💕. 🤝.

[@The_Greedy_Orphan]

We must learn from our mistakes, as harsh as it is to say that's what the Lebanese are doing, hopefully a more efficient and less corrupt government will come into power. Not sure why you decided to bring race into this other than just throwing it in there.

[@ART-gr9zn]

Mad Media I will not insult you, but my morals do not allow it 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@ART-gr9zn]

Mad MediaMy religion taught me not to curse others. I mourn yourself because it is full of racism and hatred 🗣🤷🏻‍♀️

[@ART-gr9zn]

The Greedy OrphanOn the contrary, your words are positive.

[@ART-gr9zn]

daily maria Thank you for your beautiful positive words. I wish everyone like you 🌹💕

[@alanleech37]

Speak up lad. Your success adds considerable weight.

[@akschmidt2085]

It seems like there is a culture of abuse in gymnastics in every country. Maybe that means we should hang it up?

[@geowillia6325]

Nile you are far from worthless hun! I'm American and such a huge fan of yours!

[@marafideliz5025]

E um absurdo isso ! Parece que são contínuos este tipo de acontecimentos com os atletas do mundo .

[@pattytracey3131]

Nile broke his neck on their watch. That’s OK with UK Gymnastics? Shameful.

[@anoobiscooking1193]

We are.

[@jamesrobinson2175]

I think you're wonderful Nile. I've always enjoyed you Nile!!! You have the confidence of everyone in this world

[@Polarcupcheck]

Need a global athletes union. No nude photo shoots after hours to maintain your spot on the team.

[@SpaceCobraBros]

Before CoronaVirus: *normal people doing ordinary stuff* After CoronaVirus: *people being treated like pieces of meat*

[@spaceedementia]

... you think this is a post corona phenomenon?

[@miamidolphinsfan]

@@spaceedementia don't reply to it, it's a troll account

[@heidinortonclarkehnc]

Good for you its hard to speak out but you have encouraged others to follow your example. I'm hoping that because you have highlighted this thst it does not reflect on you to be chosen to represent Great Britain be on our fantastic team. Good luck.

[@krystingrant6292]

What is going on? 😩😞

[@MichaTheLight]

I think Nile is very happy with his famous yt channel many ppl are interested in it. And it shows that this sport can be fun and play full. I hope that this over eagerness to win medals subsides and a new delightfullness comes into the sport. In general this is apply able to all sports. If you over do it as coach and federation you break the Athlet instead of making the Athlet - you may get quick results but how many athletes quite very young and all ask why they disappear this could be an explanation.

[@TELEVISIBLE]

I am guilty of seeing him as a piece of meat for other reason ps the game itself is setup to a toturing training for winning

[@BobBob-cn1yy]

Privatise the BBC make them work for a living.

[@public.public]

Go on strike or get another job then.

[@316SR]

Millennials need pampering

[@kirstinetermansen3227]

Use expert , to explain Expert thing's

[@Mcthindi]

#it just different names and different place everything else remains the same! But still it's going to make new change. "Later is better than never" -hopefully those are in the field will get justice !

[@joshuaedwards3322]

Gymnasts have to be fearless like football 🏈 players or boxers... Of course there is going to be abuse. If their coaches didn't push them past normal they could never achieve greatness.

[@tori6741]

Clever work BBC but you could have used the story of the 8yr old girl they tied to a High Bar to evoke some stronger emotions from your viewers. This abuse has been going on for decades across the World, please remember Elena Mukhina. Someone wrote this, not me. "For elite gymnasts such as Mukhina, they have success because they possess raw physical talent, but also MENTAL FORTITUDE. They have a natural urge to be competitive, to push themselves to the absolute limits, and are UNFAZED by the prospect of hard work. They revel in subjecting themselves to gruelling workouts and seeing how much PAIN they can endure before stopping. They take pride in being physically exhausted as that means it has been a productive day. High level athletes do all of this while living an extremely structured lifestyle. Virtually every hour of the day is used for school, training, or sleep". 🤸‍♀️🤸‍♀️🤸‍♀️

[@majvit9271]

I´ve read Elena Mukhina was injured but was forced to train anyway for the Olympics and after the accident when she became paralysed she said at least i don´t have to compete in the Olympics.

[@born1990athotmail]

Such a down to earth guy. We need to listen and so does British gymnastics!

[@eveh1458]

Love this man to bits

[@Funtimes506]

i would like to know more detail of the abuse . It just seems everyone is a victim of something these days . whats the next sport !

[@gabriellangton5137]

No offense to nile but i'm in the gb squad of gymnastics and i know nile. I personally believe British Gymnastics has been nice to nile, letting him go to olympic camps when he was unfit and more things. Nile probably would not have got selected for the olympics if it happened in 2020 because he had big injuries and was nowhere near full fitness. Hes kind of lucky that its being held in 2021 now because he has some more time to get to where he needs to be because he is very far off from where he should be in my opinion. It almost feels sometimes that he is more obsessed with his youtube than this sport.

[@michaelgreen1365]

OUST THE ABUSERS. WHAT ARE THEIR NAMES....

[@kirstinetermansen3227]

Make book, film, yourself

[@kirstinetermansen3227]

Worthless. That the psychology for winner 🏆

[@erwindaveg1]

WORK HARD MAN!! THAT IS NOTHING AND IT’s CALLED TRAINING IN CHINA!

[@scots4trump465]

WHOAAA. Someone in that video needs to cut their toenails!! Dirty midden

[@SwabsMatt]

Whoa I treat my meat very delicately Before I eat it

[@djw9985]

I don't see the abuse here. But then again everybody is a victim of some sort of abuse these days.

[@Sam_A_Sam]

Well done lad.

[@allauddin9350]

He only loves his Elizabeth.

[@dundunsar]

old boys club

[@kirstinetermansen3227]

It might be worsen Human trade's, kidnap. Modeling, sex industry

Ok fine, a complaint worth atleast hearing out and putting some thought into. But I swear if I start hearing the same weak ass complaints from members of the military or anyone that has career responsibilities that require them to be the best so they can compete with the best I'm just gonna shut it out.

[@unknownuser_99]

I HATE FIG!!!

[@bojoke2689]

Money is the root of all evil and if you sell your *soul* for fame and MONEY, what do you expect?

[@missmoxie9188]

We love you Nile

[@RaviKumar-et3he]

'Binod'

[@arpansharma9313]

Binod ...

[@MrAckers75]

I would stay quiet if I was you bbc! Not entirely sure what kind of abuse he’s referring to. Is it the training methods they used or something more sinister?

[@miamidolphinsfan]

More sinister, I'm thinking it was both sexual & mental abuse

[@tuco4386]

No t New

[@kirstinetermansen3227]

Don't wictim,. Fight

[@ricardojunior4376]

FAMILICIA NA CADEIA JÁ:elbowcough::elbowcough::elbowcough::elbowcough:E GADO NO CURRAL🦌🐂🐮🐄🐂🐃

[@SpaceCobraBros]

I don’t speak famish.

[@ricardojunior4376]

FAMILICIA NA CADEIA JÁ:elbowcough::elbowcough::elbowcough::elbowcough:E GADO NO CURRAL🦌🐂🐮🐄🐂🐃

[@SpaceCobraBros]

I don’t speak famish.

[@nigelpalmer9248]

What bLLx they are adults they decide if they are willing participants in abuse.