AIS says sorry to abused athletes in wake of damning gymnastics report

The Australian Institute of Sport has apologised to athletes who were allegedly abused and mistreated on its campus.

The AIS has agreed that treatment of some athletes was ‘unacceptable’

The Australian Institute of Sport has apologised to athletes who were allegedly abused and mistreated on its campus, in the wake of a bombshell report into gymnastics by the Australian Human Rights Commission.

“We know incidents and practices occurred that are not acceptable,” the AIS board said in a statement. “For this, we are truly sorry.

“We admire the courage of people who have come forward to share their stories. We assure you, we are listening and you have been heard. We have begun reaching out personally to athletes to offer our support.”

In a scathing assessment, the AHRC said gymnastics administration at all levels in Australia has “not appropriately and adequately addressed complaints of abuse and harm and not effectively safeguarded children and young people”.

It said a “win at all costs” culture had turned gymnastics in Australia into a sport that harms its ¬athletes and exposes them to “toxic” physical, emotional and sexual abuse.

Several former athletes who spoke to the commission alleged they were abused and mistreated at the AIS in the 1990s and 2000s.

A lawyer representing former AIS gymnasts alleges some of the institute’s coaches were employing questionable training methods over several decades despite ongoing complaints and claims the AIS turned a blind eye to abusive practices. One former gymnast claimed she was sexually assaulted by an AIS coach.

In the statement released on Friday morning, the AIS board said thousands of athletes were involved in scholarship programs at the institute between 1981 and 2012 – and most of them would remember the experience fondly. “Unfortunately, that is not everyone’s experience,” the statement said.

“We owe it to every athlete who has been part of the AIS, to feel supported and to get help if, and when, they need it.”

The AIS said it had established a confidential and independent support service, available to all former athletes and staff to share their experiences and seek help.

“We thank the Australian Human Rights Commission and Gymnastics Australia for undertaking the review presented on Monday, no doubt a painful process but one which can bring positive outcomes for sport more broadly.

“Today, we acknowledge our past so we can continue to lead Australian sport into the future.

“The ASC is committed to working with our partners in the Australian sporting community to address unacceptable practices of the past, and to ensure they have no place in Australian sport in the future.”

Gymnastics Australia has already issued an apology to all athletes who experienced any form of abuse.