GB Canoeing subject to new investigation into historical sexual abuse claims
Tuesday 13 June 2017 11:44, UK
UK Sport are undertaking a second investigation into historical sexual abuse allegations within GB Canoeing, with the police also looking into the claims.
A coach was suspended at the end of last year following an initial investigation by GB Canoeing and UK Sport.
The news has come to light on the eve of the publication of an independent review into the culture at British Cycling after allegations of sexism and discrimination levelled against the body by track cyclist Jess Varnish
UK Sport, the body that funds elite sport in the country, said in a statement: "We can confirm that British Canoeing has kept us regularly informed on a conduct issue that they have been dealing with since December 2016.
"We are also able to confirm that we are working with British Canoeing to establish a second and separate independent investigation about further allegations which were received in April 2017.
"This investigation will commence shortly.
"As part of the Independent Review into the climate and culture in the British Cycling World Class Programme, we have learnt valuable lessons to be shared across the British sporting system to improve culture and conduct and to ensure that issues, if they arise, are addressed robustly and appropriately.
"We will be able go into detail on this when the British Cycling Independent Review is published."
In a separate development, allegations of racism have been made against members of the British Bobsleigh setup.
UK Sport said: "We are aware of issues raised by athletes within the sport of bobsleigh and that these have been the subject of an internal investigation and ongoing review by the British Bobsleigh and Skeleton Association.
"Athlete welfare and duty of care is of paramount importance to us. We are conscious that as a system we have lessons to learn around culture.
"We have therefore taken the decision to appoint a Head of Sport Integrity to advise on policies and procedures for handling and reviewing cultural or behavioural issues as they arise and to provide assurance on the appropriateness and timeliness of actions taken by individual sports governing bodies."
