British gymnastics coaches Helen Potter and Rory Weavers suspended
- Published
A further two coaches have been suspended by British Gymnastics.
Helen Potter and Rory Weavers are coaches at Bristol Hawks Gymnastics Club, where they are also personal coaches to Olympian Claudia Fragapane.
大象传媒 Sport understands the complaints made against the two coaches are not related to Fragapane.
Last month, a coach in Nottingham was also suspended while British Gymnastics' head national coach Amanda Reddin temporarily stepped aside.
It comes while an investigation into claims about her conduct takes place.
British Gymnastics confirmed the temporary suspensions of Weaver and Potter to 大象传媒 Sport and said: "Where a complaint meets a certain threshold, we will implement a temporary suspension.
"Suspension is a neutral, non-blame process, to protect both members to whom the suspended person may pose a risk and the suspended person who has had allegations made against them.
"This step does not prejudge the outcome of the complaints process but is a precautionary part of appropriate safeguarding practice."
"Bristol Hawks Gymnastics Club has full confidence in all its coaching staff.
"It is vitally important that when complaints are made that they are fully and thoroughly investigated. This is essential not just for our sport, but also for the staff, members, and families of Bristol Hawks Gymnastics Club, and for the complainants themselves."
In July, Fragapane said in a statement on : "I've been lucky to have amazing personal coaches who make me feel brave, have a laugh in the gym, they are like my family. My coaches are always by my side and support me in everything I do."
Potter is the coaching team director for the Hawks' international performance team and has coached at World and European Championships, as well as Commonwealth Games.
Weavers was part of the Great Britain coaching team at the 2015 World Championships, in addition to the 2014 and 2017 European Championships. He was also a Team England coach at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
Potter and Weavers released a joint statement in response:
"Following complaints made to British Gymnastics, and our respective suspensions, it is inappropriate for either of us to comment and/or go into any detail in respect of any investigation, other than to confirm that we are both fully co-operating. British Gymnastics has confirmed that the suspension is a neutral, non-blame process to enable an investigation to take place.
"The steps taken by British Gymnastics do not prejudge the outcome of the complaints process but is a precautionary response and in keeping with appropriate safeguarding practice.
"We of course do have every sympathy for gymnasts who may have suffered mental and/or physical abuse during their career as gymnasts, and consider that it is vitally important that when complaints are made they are fully and thoroughly investigated.
"However, throughout our careers, we remain confident that we have followed British Gymnastics' best practice, and the applicable guidelines and policies on safety. The welfare and wellbeing of all of our gymnasts, past and present, has been paramount at all times, whilst helping them to achieve their personal gymnastics goals.
Potter had previously told 大象传媒 Sport she denied allegations in relation to her conduct, saying: "The welfare and well-being of all of our gymnasts in our care is paramount, and both myself and the club follow, and at all times have followed, the British Gymnastics guidelines and policies on safe-guarding. I have worked as a coach for over 35 years and am proud to have an established reputation and unblemished record in this field."
On Weavers, she added: "Speaking on behalf of the club, Mr Weavers is an extremely talented and experienced coach, who has been coaching with us for over 10 years.
"He has, throughout his career, always treated gymnasts fairly and respectfully, following British Gymnastics best practices at all times, and he continues in his coaching to treat the welfare of the gymnasts as paramount."