A Nottingham gymnast has revealed how coaching staff went through her bags to search for food when she was just 10, and how she was ‘sat on’ during stretching exercises. Ellie Downie who is retiring from the sport only aged 23 said she wasn't sure if any daughter of hers should go into the sport.
Appearing on Good Morning Britain, former European champion Ellie highlighted ‘abuse’ of athletes - including their own possessions being searched for extra food and admitting she worried for her sister Rebecca who still competes. She said that coaches ‘sat on’ gymnasts as part of the stretching process and that they were ‘weighed in’.
Ellie said: “We were definitely sat on by coaches for stretching reasons. I’ve definitely had my bag searched for food. It all happens when you’re so young. The first time it happened to me I was on a training camp and I was like ten [years old].
