Nottingham-born sisters Becky and Ellie Downie, representing Great Britain, aimed for success at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Becky, 29, won gold in the 2014 and 2016 European Championships for the uneven bars, while Ellie, seven years younger, claimed Britain’s first 2017 European all-around championship. Despite Becky’s 12th place in Beijing 2008 and 10th in Rio 2016, and Ellie’s 13th in Rio despite a fall, they eyed Olympic medals. As they readied for Tokyo 2020, they maintained their Olympic dream. However, even in elite gymnastics, athletes like Simone Biles drew immeasurable attention to mental health and even took hiatuses/sabbaticals because of its overpowering nature.

Despite Biles’ triumphant return and enduring dominance in gymnastics, her emphasis on mental health has remained a significant cynosure. While she spearheaded the US team to numerous victories, including the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships, her openness about mental health struggles has been both admirable and impactful. Recently, attention has shifted towards the Downie sisters, who previously spoke out about the prevalent issue of abuse within the gymnastics sphere.

Cultural change proponents for the win

Becky Downie recently reshared a poignant Instagram story originally posted by Jennifer Mvllveen, the founder of Gymnast Alliance and a BG advisor. The story featured a reel showcasing Becky, where she expressed her aspirations, saying, “If everything goes to plan, I went to Paris and I had a gold medal around my neck. What I did for Gym Alliance to me is still gonna be the most significant thing I’ve ever done in this sport.“ Yet, the heartfelt caption penned by Jennifer was equally compelling. She beautifully conveyed, “@bdownie92 and @elliedownie have been awarded MBEs for their services to gymnastics.”

“This recognition is so important and special – it’s not just for their INCREDIBLE sporting talent, hard work and courage in their sporting performances (although that is truly admirable in itself) but it recognises their IMMENSE COURAGE speaking out for our #gymnastalliance cause,” – was quoted. Becky and Ellie showed great courage by openly pushing for a big variation in culture. Their help for this issue should be praised, which makes them great precedents and really worthy of the MBE prize. However, this happy acknowledgement hides a bigger story.

Normalization of abuse in gymnastics training

In 2020, gymnasts Downie and her younger sister Ellie spoke about the common unsavoriness happening in training sessions for becoming an elite athlete. They grasped it as something normal. This misuse involved physical, violating, and sometimes sexual harm. The subsequent Whyte Review in British gymnastics revealed alarming statistics.

Read More: After Bold Stance Against Injustice in Gymnastics, Iconic Duo Awarded Highest Honor for Changing the Sport

More than 40% said coaches hurt them physically, and more than unfurled about emotional abuse. Some also shared stories of sexual harm and there was a lot of talk on acute weight control. Recently, Becky Downie acknowledged a shift in the sport’s approach and felt vindicated by the report’s acknowledgement of the serious cultural problems within gymnastics. These trendsetters will go places.

Watch this story: SIMONE BILES UNVEILS ‘MEDAL DECOR’ AMIDST HOME RENOVATION CHALLENGES