A toxic environment in swimming clubs in England has enabled abusive training practices and bullying to exist for years, a review has found.
Extreme competitiveness led to an “ongoing and systemic” culture of fear at all levels of aquatic sports and was a major threat to its future, it said.
Athletes, volunteers and parents feared being “victimised” if they raised concerns with Swim England, while whistleblowers were threatened.
The governing body has apologised.
Nineteen ongoing safeguarding incidents were reported during the probe and flagged to Swim England’s welfare team.
The review also found there was an “urgent need” to tackle racism within swimming with many from ethnically diverse communities feeling like they did not belong in what was viewed as a “white, middle class sport”.
Para swimmers and swimmers with special needs said they often felt overlooked and less valued with one competition winner saying they were given a spare medal from an old contest instead of a “shiny new one” like other athletes.
Sport England said the “stark” conclusions “represented a crossroads moment both for Swim England and everyone involved in the sport more widely”, adding the governing body’s funding was dependent on its ability to change.
