Family let down by British Gymnastics and York club - report

Kirsty's family reported the alleged sexual abuse in July 2020 and were later excluded for a year from a York gymnastics club

A family was treated "terribly" by a gymnastics club after reporting alleged sexual abuse, an investigation found.

The parents of Kirsty, not her real name, alleged that she had been abused by a former coach when she was 10. The family were then excluded from the York club for a year, a report said.

British Gymnastics "could and should have done more" to support the family, the independent inquiry concluded.

Stan Wild denies the allegations and has never been charged with an offence.

York City Gymnastics Foundation did not reply to the BBC's requests for a response.

A British Gymnastics statement said it "can't change what has happened in the past, but we can learn from it".

Stan Wild carried the Olympic torch through York in 2012 ahead of the Olympic Games in London

The report, by the British Gymnastics Independent Complaints Process (ICP), said: "The family were isolated and treated terribly by the club.

"The should never have been excluded. They were not at fault."

The family filed a complaint with the ICP in July 2020, eight years after the alleged abuse.

They said the governing body had failed to properly investigate their daughter's claim, with the complaint later upheld.

The report added: "It is wholly wrong to punish those who have the courage to disclose misconduct, who should be supported."

Ex-Olympic gymnast Mr Wild, now 80, was expelled by British Gymnastics in 2020 due to "safeguarding", according to its website.

Kirsty, now 18, said she used to "absolutely love going to gymnastics" but that her experience "completely changed my perspective".

"I could have been really good at gymnastics and really improved," she said.

York City Gymnastics Foundation did not reply to the BBC's requests for a response

Mr Wild, who founded York City Gymnastics Foundation, was a British Gymnastics Champion for five years in the 1960s and 70s.

When Kirsty's claims were investigated by police, Mr Wild was not charged due to what the Crown Prosecution Service said was insufficient evidence "to provide a realistic prospect of conviction".

In a statement, Mr Wild said he "refuted the allegations in the strongest possible terms".

"I have never been charged with any offence by the police in relation to the allegations made against me," he said.

'We've been failed'

Kirsty's father said: "It has taken over our life, because our fight for justice has been never-ending.

"Every authority around that we feel should have been able to do the right thing and step in to put things right have failed to do so."

Kirsty's mother said the family had suffered for the past eight years.

"We know that we've always told the truth and we know how badly we've been failed as a family," she said.

A spokesperson from British Gymnastics told the BBC that their "primary concern is always the care and support" of those affected.

They added: "We can't change what has happened in the past, but we can learn from it and ensure the approach being taken in gymnastics today is very different for those involved.

"We are acting and doing everything in our power to keep the sport safe now and in the future."