Max Whitlock: British Gymnastics ‘going in right direction’ after assault claims

The Olympic gold medallist spoke about the sport after he was honoured with an OBE by the Princess Royal.

Max Whitlock after being made an OBE (Kirsty O’Connor/PA) (PA Wire)

Max Whitlock says British Gymnastics is “going in the right direction” after the sports body was rocked by abuse allegations against coaches.

The Olympic gold medallist spoke about the sport after he was honoured with an OBE by the Princess Royal at Windsor Castle on Wednesday afternoon.

Among those also honoured at the investiture ceremony was Sophie Wells, the British para-equestrian Olympic gold medallist and Karen Tonge, chairwoman of British Para Table Tennis.

Asked about how British Gymnastics is responding after the Whyte Review found a culture of sexual abuse and bullying, he said: “The sport has gone through a big rough patch which was massively difficult at the time and especially difficult for those going through it.

The 29-year-old said he gives “huge credit” to those who spoke out, adding: “To protect the future of our sport, something like that had to happen.”

He said the sports body is “responding in a great way”.

“British Gymnastics are responding, they are responding in a great way, they’re making a lot of changing, they’re bringing new people in to try and improve it for the next generation, and this generation as well,” he said.

Whitlock said the Tokyo Olympics was “a bit more relaxed” with the men and women mixing more at the competition.

“It was a definite indication we’re going the right way when I look back at Tokyo, the Olympics – and I think every gymnast would say exactly the same thing.

“It’s massively positive and when we move forwards, we want to make sure we are making these changes and continue to make the changes.

“That’s the big thing, to make sure 10, 20, 30 years down the line that the younger generation coming through, everybody is having a positive experience.”

“Because for me, loved every single experience and there’s no reason why it can’t be the same for everybody else.

“That’s why it’s important to me because it frustrates me when it’s not that way and they think it needs to be the old school way, or the way other nations do it or however people work.”

Meanwhile, Wells said receiving her OBE from the Princess Royal was a “pinch yourself a little bit” moment.

“It’s incredible, the (royal) family’s so horsey, aren’t they, so she remembered they gave me the MBE 10 years ago so we had a chat about the horsing and the coaching.

Ms Wells said winning gold in Rio de Janeiro was the highlight of her career after she fell short in London.

“(Getting gold in London) was expected of me so much and I wanted it for everybody who helped me to get there as well so when I didn’t get that it did made it more special in Rio four years later,” she said.

On what being awarded an OBE means for the sport, she said: “Hopefully it does give people like that an extra profile just because you have a disability it doesn’t stop you doing anything.”

Ms Tonge described the experiences as “very special”.

“To be in the platinum honours list for the birthday, that part was just amazing, and subsequently the queen died so it was the last honours before she died so to get an honour once is amazing but twice is remarkable.

“It’s special,” she added.

On her conversation with the Princess Royal, Ms Tonge said: “She apologised that it was her again because she presented me with her MBE.

“And I said: ‘No it’s special it’s you ma’am. You’re the IOC member and you do such a lot for sport’.”