‘Petri dish for abuse’: gymnastics faces a reckoning in Australia

A scathing report into child abuse allegations within the sport has revived calls to raise the age for competition and cracked open a win-at-all-costs culture where young girls are subject to extreme physical expectationsThe gymnasts sit cross-legged on the mat. Some in activewear crop tops, others in leotards with shimmery fabric and diamantes. Water bottles adorned with butterflies and rainbows are tossed at the mat’s edge by the wall.For over two hours at a small gymnastics centre in Sy