British Gymnastics BAN coaches from weighing athletes after dozens complained about the ‘tyranny of the scales’ leading to eating disorders, anxiety and depression

DAILY MAIL

British Gymnastics have banned coaches from weighing gymnasts in a landmark new rule aimed at tackling abuse.

Excessive weight management came up as a complaint in more than 25 per cent of the 400-plus submissions received by last year’s Whyte Review, which described a ‘tyranny of the scales’ in a damning report.

But British Gymnastics have now introduced a new policy to ‘prevent inappropriate practices’ which they admit had caused ‘mental health problems such as eating disorders, anxiety and depression‘ in the past.

Under the new rules, only qualified sports science or medicine practitioners will be permitted to weigh gymnasts.

Those aged 10 or under cannot be weighed at all. Anyone aged between 10 and 18 can only be weighed with the consent of both the gymnast and their parent or guardian.

As well as the new weighing rules, British Gymnastics have also introduced a new hydration policy, which states that ‘restricting fluid or toilet access is an example of physical abuse’.