At G4CI, we know that the harm caused by interpersonal violence in gymnastics is real, lasting, and too often minimised. Now, new research led by Natalie Barker-Ruchti (Örebro University, Sweden) provides powerful evidence of just how deep and enduring those impacts can be.

Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung 08/09/2025: What image of femininity is imposed on rhythmic gymnasts? Klaudia Wittmann, once among Germany’s top gymnasts, reflects on the lasting impact of constant violence within persistent patriarchal structures.

A long overdue reckoning, but survivors are still being failed.

“Safeguarding systems must not rely on children to detect harm. The current model is not just ineffective - it is ethically indefensible,” said Claire Heafford, CEO of G4CI.

Today marks the release of the ‘Safe Sport Project Report’, a significant moment for safeguarding in sport in the UK. It is the first document of its kind in the UK to call for structural safeguarding reform at a cross-sector level. You can read our full reposes to the report in this blog post.

Claire Heafford, CEO of Gymnasts for Change International, and former elite gymnast, responds to the publication of Sarah Powell and Andy Salmon’s ‘Safe Sport Report’ published 24th June 2024.

Gymnasts For Change (G4C) welcomes the decision of the Independent Complaints Process (ICP) Appeal Panel, that a case of abuse involving a G4C member can now be heard.

Klaudia Wittmann, former German Rhythmic Gymnast and member of the G4C International Working Group, explores the way in which National Governing Bodies repeatedly miss golden opportunities to set a new, human rights based standard for coaching in Gymnastics.

The Reform 25 initiative, held up by British Gymnastics as the beacon of hope after the damning Whyte Review, now stands at a crossroads. Is it a mere tick-box exercise, a perfunctory nod to accountability?

In women’s gymnastics, silence is seen as one of the greatest assets. From a young age, the gymnast learns not to argue with the coach, not to share (or even have) an opinion, and to take what her coach says as the truth.

“...what was the point of so many coming forward and bravely telling their stories? @BritGymnastics, it’s time to sort out your complaints process. It is not working for anyone.”

An anonymous G4C member writes about how her experience of gymnastics was accompanied by an eating disorder that it took her 25 years to recover from. This piece talks openly about the brutality of gymnastics, and how she found a better life - free from aesthetic judgements - later in life.

An anonymous G4C member responds to the release of BG’s Reform ‘25 and their promise to publish a register of banned coaches with “zero tolerance of abuse”.

Our latest post is an anonymous account of a former elite-level child gymnast who was made to attend boarding school aged 10 to continue her training. This brave account shares the impacts and lasting trauma that the arrangement had, and the questions she has for British Gymnastics about the practice.

Dr Sophie Vivian writes about the making of elite gymnasts - a process littered with abuse, psychological trauma and power imbalances.

The pressure placed on funded athletes to perform at major championships can be extreme. What Simone Biles’ decision not to compete in the all-around competition at Tokyo shows us is that gymnastics is different.

With the issue of competition uniform high on the radar following Sarah Voss’ strong stand at the European Championships, Bunny Ladd reflects on her experiences with sexualisation and body image growing up in the sport.

The spotlight has firmly been on gymnastics in Australia following the Australian Human Rights Commission’s independent investigation into the systemic cultural issues in the sport. Alison Quigley, a former gymnast and advocate for change, outlines how Australia got to where it is today and takes us through some of the recommendations from the Change the Routine report.

During Mental Health Awareness Week, former England gymnast and campaigner Nicole Pavier shares how her time as an elite gymnast has impacted her mental health.

Canadian gymnast Amelia Clein shares her experiences of abuse and bullying when training as a child.

Dr. Rachel Furley gives her views on how best to safeguard children and young people participating in gymnastics and what parents and carers should look out for.

Hannah Whelan OLY writes about her reasons for joining the group legal action against British Gymnastics and her personal coaching journey.

Gymnasts for Change responds to the Whyte Review Interim Report and addendum.

Gymnasts for Change’s Georgia Cervin discusses the recent report into abuse commissioned by Gymnastics New Zealand and how gymnasts deserve to have their voices at the centre of all reforms.

Gymnastics New Zealand’s chief executive has admitted that abuse has been “normalised” in the sport for decades, following the publication of a review into alleged past instances of abuse.

Gymnasts for Change has responded to McKayla Maroney’s recent social media post, discussing how she adds another voice to the call for a sport free from negative coaching.

PART THREE. Gymnasts for Change asked a panel of experts from across the world what key change they’d like to see – to the culture, competition format or code – to make gymnastics a safer sport for all. Here’s what Kay Salisbury, Nikki Kimpton, Andy Piekarski, Claire Heafford and Jennifer Sey had to say.

PART TWO. Gymnasts for Change asked a panel of experts from across the world what key change they’d like to see – to the culture, competition format or code – to make gymnastics a safer sport for all. Here’s what Nick Ruddock, Hannah Whelan, and Satya Jeremie had to say.

In August, the International Socio-Cultural Research Group on Women’s Artistic Gymnastics (ISCWAG) published an open letter, setting out the eight key actions they recommend to protect gymnasts from abuse.

We have republished the letter in full here - read on to discover why ISCWAG believe women’s artistic gymnastics is in need of reform.

Gymnasts for Change founder Claire Heafford discusses how the negative experiences of those who have faced abuse within the context of gymnastics fit in to The Lolita Bind. She argues that by treating elite child gymnasts as both - and neither - adults or children, they are left vulnerable to abuse.