Here we go again: another report revealing toxic behaviours and “cultures of fear”. It’s tempting to scroll on and simply wonder which sport will be next. But the report last week on swimming in England goes to the heart of the role of sport in our lives, asks questions about the experiences we want to create for the next generation through sport, and the sort of society to which we want to belong.
Importantly, the report from the “Heart of Aquatics Listening Research” was commissioned by Swim England itself, not imposed like the Whyte review into British Gymnastics or the Phelps review into British Cycling. Of course, the more cynical may see that as jumping before being pushed. But it’s still progress when a national governing body takes an interest in its impact on people’s lives and seeks feedback from those who should matter most but traditionally have never had a voice.
