British Gymnastics suspend coaches Helen Potter and Rory Weavers
By ITV News Sports Producer Dan Salisbury-Jones
British Gymnastics has suspended two leading coaches following alleged mistreatment.
Olympian Claudia Fragapane’s personal coaches Helen Potter and Rory Weavers of Bristol Hawks club have been temporarily suspended.
Fragapane nominated Potter for a BBC unsung hero award in 2019 and there is no suggestion she is a complainant.
A British Gymnastics spokesperson said: “We can confirm that Helen Potter and Rory Weavers are under temporary suspension.
"Where a complaint meets a certain threshold, we will implement a temporary suspension. Suspension is a neutral, non-blame process, to protect both members to whom the suspended person may pose a risk and the suspended person who has had allegations made against them.
"This step does not prejudge the outcome of the complaints process but is a precautionary part of appropriate safeguarding practice.”
The news follows GB Women’s Head Coach Amanda Reddin temporarily stepping aside last week pending an investigation into her methods.
Olympic bronze medal winner Amy Tinkler’s former personal coaches were also suspended.
A total of seven coaches have now either stepped aside or been suspended pending investigations since ITV News first started reporting on abuse in gymnastics.
Weavers is part of the Bristol Hawks International Performance team and was a member of the Great Britain coaching team at the 2015 World Championships and 2014 and 2017 European Championships.
Potter is a ‘Master Coach of Great Britain’ and a founding member of the Bristol Hawks.
Potter first worked as a national team coach in 1988 and has worked at numerous major championships since. Bristol Hawks acknowledged Helen Potter and Rory Weavers had been suspended pending an investigation.
They said in a statement: "Suspension is a neutral, non-blame process to enable an investigation to take place.
"This step does not prejudge the outcome of the complaints process but is a precautionary response and in keeping with appropriate safeguarding practice.
"Bristol Hawks Gymnastics Club has full confidence in all its coaching staff.
"It is vitally important that when complaints are made that they are fully and thoroughly investigated.
"This is essential not just for our sport, but also for the staff, members, and families of Bristol Hawks Gymnastics Club, and for the complainants themselves.”