Gymnastics abuse: Former Wada boss David Howman appointed to lead independent review

Wednesday, 5 August 2020

Gymnastics NZ has bowed to calls for an independent investigation into abusive coaching practices in the sport, appointing sports integrity expert David Howman to lead a review.

Howman, the former director general of the world anti-doping agency (WADA) and a leading voice on sports integrity issues, will examine “concerning themes” to emerge from information submitted to GNZ and Sport New Zealand’s interim complaints mechanism (ICM).

It comes after a Stuff investigation detailed widespread allegations of abuse and mistreatment within gymnastics on athletes as young as eight.

The allegations paint a picture of a culture that normalised emotional manipulation, fat-shaming and athletes being forced to compete with serious injuries.

Gymnastics NZ launched “urgent inquiries” in response to the reports, establishing a separate email address to field complaints.

But calls for an independent inquiry have grown in the last few days, with several coaches, parents and athletes contacting Stuff to express concerns about the process, claiming prior attempts to raise complaints with GNZ had not been dealt with appropriately.

GNZ chief executive Tony Compier said alongside Sport NZ, the national body has worked hard to ensure an independent, confidential and streamlined process is put in place to handle the “distressing and concerning allegations”.

“Responding to complaints quickly, assessing them, investigating where necessary and taking appropriate action is our top priority. This in the first instance will be achieved via the Sport NZ Interim Complaints Mechanism (ICM) and the Gymnastics NZ Safe Sport mechanism,” he said.

“We appreciate that recent revelations do not just contain specific experiences of abuse, but also concerns in the wider context of gymnastics culture. It is important to us that this element is not lost in the forensic examination of individual cases.

“David has kindly agreed to be the focal point of that independent process, and we feel it will compliment the other aspects of information and experience gathering we have in place.”

Howman will “sit independently” and terms of reference – including timelines – are still being finalised.

Howman would have “unlimited scope” to review any aspect of the sport, Compier said.

“As part of the review, David will have unfettered access to Gymnastics NZ and this will include a thorough review of policies, procedures and remedies concerning complaints, both past and present,” he said.

GNZ and Sport New Zealand will still be taking complaints through its complaints mechanisms.

“David Howman will not receive anything directly at this point,” he said.

“David will feed out of both of those avenues with regards to his broader scope with respect to a full review.”

Compier said they’ve had about 30 emails through GNZ’s safe sport function so far.

“They’ve come forward with a variety of complaints, stories, recollections, concerns [and] support across the spectrum,” he said.

Howman’s appointment comes after Athletes Federation boss Rob Nichol launched a stunning broadside against Sport NZ, claiming the ICM was “misguided, ineffective and utterly not fit for purpose”.

Sport NZ boss Peter Miskimmin, who on Wednesday announced he was stepping down from his role at the end of the year, fired back describing Nichol’s comments “disappointing and unhelpful”.

Miskimmin repeated his pleas from earlier in the week, encouraging athletes, coaches and parents to come forward with their experiences.

The appointment of Howman, who is widely respected both in New Zealand and internationally, will likely quell the growing tension between the governing body and athlete welfare representatives.

Since stepping down as head of WADA in 2016, Howman has been in demand globally as a consultant on sports integrity and athlete welfare issues.

He chairs the World Athletics Integrity Unit, and was on a three-person panel the conducted a review of Australian sport, which led to the establishment of Sport Integrity Australia earlier this year.

Stuff has spoken with seven former elite gymnasts - covering both artistic rhythmic gymnastics, who claim there is a normalised culture within the sport associated with fat-shaming, being forced to train and compete with injuries, over training and verbal abuse from coaches.

The alleged abuse has resulted in some elite athletes living with life-long injuries, reliance on painkillers, anxiety, and ongoing management of eating disorders.

The abuse is alleged at both club and international level, including while they were representing New Zealand at major events.