Gymnastics NSW president Virginia Elliott quits amid judging scandal which impacted Tokyo Olympics

The president of Gymnastics NSW has quit after being handed an 18-month ban for her involvement in a scandal which impacted Australia’s Olympic selection for the Tokyo 2020 Games.

Australian rhythmic gymnast Lidiia Iakovleva.

The president of Gymnastics NSW has quit after being handed an 18 month ban for her involvement in a judging scandal which impacted Australia’s Olympic selection for the Tokyo 2020 Games.

Virginia Elliott, who was first elected by the board as president of Gymnastics NSW in 2021, is one of three Australian officials given bans following an investigation into a judging discrepancy at the 2021 Oceania Continental Championships in Rhythmic Gymnastics – which doubled as the Tokyo Olympic trials.

Former Gymnastics Australia CEO turned deputy CEO of the National Sports Tribunal Kitty Chiller and judge Erin Pankoke were also handed bans.

Ms Chiller was banned from representing the Federation of International Gymnastics or Oceania Gymnastics Union for two years.

Ms Pankoke had her judging qualification suspended and was banned from judging for one year.

Former Australian Chef de Mission Kitty Chiller has been banned for two years.

Ms Elliott, who at the time of the incident was the National Technical Director at Gymnastics Australia, had her judging qualifications suspended and was banned for 18 months.

All three have 21 days to appeal the sanctions.

Gymnastics NSW CEO Aaron Bloomfield this afternoon confirmed Ms Elliott had handed in her resignation on Friday, with immediate effect.

“Today, the Board of Gymnastics NSW accepted the resignation of Ms Virginia Elliott, with immediate effect,” Mr Bloomfield said.

Gymnastics NSW president Virginia Elliott has resigned after recieving an 18 month ban following a judging scandal.

“While Ms Elliott is yet to decide whether she will appeal the recently handed down sanction, she and the Board felt it was in the best interests of the sport, athletes and the organisation for her to tender her resignation.

“The Board of Gymnastics NSW thanks Ms Elliott for her dedication to the sport of gymnastics in Australia over many years.”

Australian rhythmic gymnast Lidiia Iakovleva.

It is understood the “judging irregularity” relates to a score being reviewed and changed at the Olympic trials – pushing gymnast Lidiia Iakovleva 2.5 points ahead of 2018 Commonwealth Games dual bronze medallist Alexandra Kiroi-Bogatyreva.

When the judging irregularity was raised, referred to by Gymnastics Australia as a “technical irregularity” the Federation of International de Gymnastique Rhythmic Gymnastics Technical Commission reviewed the results and confirmed Iakovleva as the winner.

Lakovleva was the only athlete who qualified for Australia for the event at the Tokyo Olympics.

As part of the sanctions Gymnastics Australia has also been ordered to pay a fine of $7200.

Gymnastics Australia has said it would not comment on the matter until the 21 day appeal period had passed.