British Rowing defends safeguarding policy after Leander rower suspended
British Rowing has defended its safeguarding policies in the wake of severe criticism from multiple Leander Club rowers.
The athletes were reacting to the suspension of a male athlete, who has been banned from rowing at the club or entering its premises, following new allegations.
The same athlete was accused of sexually assaulting a female squad member in 2022, revealed in an investigation by ITV News.
But it's understood British Rowing's decision to temporarily suspend him is not related to his conduct at Leander Club.
One Leander rower told ITV News the allegations were ''alarming.''
''The national governing body [British Rowing] and Leander continue to be slow to act and have outdated, inadequate safeguarding policies. Would this have happened if the stories hadn't hit national headlines?'' she said.
''The athletes want the sport to be safe and it's about time the appropriate measures are taken and procedures put in place,'' she added.
In a statement given to ITV News, British Rowing said: 'We act on facts, not headlines. Our safeguarding processes rely on people coming forward directly so that concerns can be properly assessed and addressed.
''Media coverage doesn't determine our decisions, and suggesting otherwise misrepresents how safeguarding works.'
The rower described British Rowing's statement as 'inflammatory.'
Another said: 'No one is saying British Rowing is to blame for the allegations, that lies only with the perpetrators, but people are asking, what are they doing to make rowing a safe sport for everyone? I don't think it's too much to ask.'
The governing body told ITV News it was also ''reassessing how we investigated the information we received at the time'', about the serious sexual assault at Leander Club.
The news of the rower's suspension was first reported by The Telegraph.
Leander Club is Britain's most prestigious rowing club, with 21 medal rowers bringing home medals from the 2024 Olympics Games in Paris.
Earlier this month, ITV News revealed Leander Club had carried out two investigations into its male athletes.
One was accused of the serious sexual assault in 2022; the other was investigated for harassment last year. The alleged victims were female rowers at Leander. Both men deny the allegations.
The fall-out at Leander Club, which takes on 20 to 30 new athletes every year as members and boasts a host of Olympic champions as alumni, became so toxic that last season female rowers staged a walkout.
The club's female rowers wore white ribbons on their kit to protest abuse and violence against women in the sport, and to signal their unhappiness with the club's handling of both investigations.
"We didn't want to represent the same club as people who've been accused of things like that'', one rower told ITV News.
''We wanted to say, 'we're not okay with it, we stand together as a squad'... and will not stay silent.''
In a statement given to ITV News at the time, Leander Club said: 'We have strict procedures in place to carefully examine any formal complaints and regularly review our club disciplinary processes to ensure they are fit for purpose, treating our athletes fairly and with respect.''
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
STV News
4 hours ago
- STV News
Two firefighters shot dead in Idaho
A man in northern Idaho shot and killed two firefighters, wounding one other, after starting a fire and initiating a gunfight with first responders that lasted several hours. Authorities gave the update after lifting a shelter-in-place order, though cautioned people to remain wary as the fire was still burning. Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris said a tactical response team had used cell phone date to 'hone in' on a wooded area where they found the suspect's body with a firearm nearby. 'We do believe that the suspect started the fire, and we do believe that it was an ambush and it was intentional,' Norris said at a Sunday night news conference. 'These firefighters did not have a chance.' Officials did not release his name, nor did they say what kind of gun was found. Locals wave a fire department flag in solidarity with the two firefighters killed in the attack. / Credit: AP Officials said crews responded to a fire at Canfield Mountain just north of Coeur d'Alene around 1:30pm, and gunshots were reported about half an hour later. Investigators said the gunman acted alone. Three victims were brought to Kootenai Health, said hospital spokesperson Kim Anderson. Two were dead on arrival and the third was being treated for injuries, Anderson said. The wounded firefighter was 'fighting for his life' after surgery and was in stable condition. First responders made urgent calls for help on their radios: 'Everybody's shot up here … send law enforcement now,' according to one dispatch. Subscribe free to our weekly newsletter for exclusive and original coverage from ITV News. Direct to your inbox every Friday morning. Governor Brad Little said 'multiple' firefighting personnel were attacked. 'This is a heinous direct assault on our brave firefighters,' Little said on X. 'I ask all Idahoans to pray for them and their families as we wait to learn more.' Norris said it appeared the sniper was hiding in the rugged terrain and using a high-powered rifle. He said he instructed deputies to fire back. The Idaho House Republican Leadership said in a statement: 'We are horrified by the murder of two firefighters in Coeur d'Alene, and shocked by such a vicious attack on our first responders. We are praying for them, the injured, their families and their colleagues.' Coeur d'Alene is a city of 55,000 residents near the border with Washington. Canfield Mountain is a popular hiking and biking area on the city's outskirts, covered with trees and heavy brush and crisscrossed with trails that lead into a national forest. Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know… Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Daily Mirror
6 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Alexander Zverev's WAG has eight-year age gap and called out his bedroom habits
Alexander Zverev has been dating Sophia Thomalla since 2021, and the two have let slip details about their relationship over the years, including the Wimbledon tennis star's bedroom habits Tennis superstar Alexander Zverev has been dating German model, actress and television presenter Sophia Thomalla since 2021. The 35-year-old can often be seen cheering on Olympic gold medallist Zverev, 28, courtside. While Germany's Zverev hasn't had much luck in Grand Slam finals, playing second fiddle at the US Open, French Open and Australian Open in recent times, he has an ever-present voice of support in the form of his long-term girlfriend, Thomalla. The former German Playboy model met Zverev through a mutual friend and hit it off right away. The pair, who are separated in age by almost eight years, have been an item for some time, and Thomalla will likely soon head to SW19 to cheer on her beau once more. Zverev hasn't enjoyed the best of runs at Wimbledon. He has never made it further than the fourth round, reaching this stage three times but falling just short of a quarter-final berth. However, he arrives in west London on the back of a run to the Australian Open final in January. Speaking in 2021, the German touched on the support system that enables him to perform at his best, and cited girlfriend Thomalla as someone who backs him to the bitter end. "I think for tennis players it is always very important who you have next to you. Sophia is someone who gives me peace and security," Zverev told Tennis Magazin in December 2021. "I play extremely well with her behind me and I hope that will continue to be the case." Thomalla has been involved in some high-profile relationships in the past and was married to Norwegian singer Andy LaPlegua from 2016 until 2017. She later dated former Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius, who met the model during his loan spell with Turkish side Besiktas from 2018 until 2020. The 35-year-old is known for several roles across German TV shows, particularly the local adaptation of MTV's dating game show, 'Are You the One?' Despite being seven years younger than her partner, Thomalla insists that this fact isn't something that is dwelt on, as she told RTL: "I don't think anything of it. It doesn't really matter to me, and it was clear to me from the start that people are suspicious. Even if it had only lasted a month, it wouldn't have mattered to me." Thomalla often takes to social media in support of Zverev, posting pictures of the two for her 1.4million Instagram followers. When Zverev claimed an ATP 500 title in Munich this April, she wrote next to a photo of her partner and his new trophy: "All the support paid off." On his way to the final in Melbourne earlier this year, the pair's unique bond was on full display when the secret handshake that they do before matches was picked up on by commentator Jim Courier. After Zverev's quarter-final win against American Tommy Paul, Courier spoke to the German and replayed his and his girlfriend's routine on the big screen, prompting the 28-year-old to reply: "What are you doing to me? "I just played for four hours... I mean, we have been together for three and a half years now. Look, man, you got to understand we are German, this is the coolest version of German that you can be. This is the top of German coolness; it does not go any further than that. We did it, we did it well." However, one of the two-time ATP Tour Finals winner's superstitions isn't so welcomed by his other half. Thomalla touched on Zverev's bedroom habits and revealed: "Superstition is a sign of weakness. "Because you cling to certain rituals just because you don't have faith in yourself. Every evening, before he goes to bed, he goes to the toilet three times, and then back to bed. "Back and forth like that. And then the chains are put in place. I get the urge to cry every night and think to myself: Now, just come to bed!" Yet, while he may drive her crazy sometimes, a social media post from 2022 details the couple's loved-up state. Thomalla posted on Instagram in honour of her partner's charity: "Alex Zverev, you are beautiful inside and out. I couldn't be prouder of you."
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Scottish Sun
Wimbledon star who idolises Luka Modric broke down in tears and nearly quit tennis after cruellest defeat of her career
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) DONNA VEKIC walks alongside Croatian greats Luka Modric and Josko Gvardiol in her homeland. Having reached the Wimbledon semi-finals and earned an Olympic silver medal last summer, the 29-year-old achieved hero status in the Balkan country. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 6 Donna Vekic posed for a picture with Croatian legend Luka Modric in April Credit: Instagram / @donnavekic 6 Vekic, 29, followed Josko Gvardiol in working with Mackage Credit: Mackage 6 Vekic is hoping to go even further at Wimbledon this year Credit: Getty Vekic rubbed shoulders with Modric at the Laureus Awards back in April, while she has since joined Gvardiol in becoming an ambassador for luxurious fashion brand Mackage. Hot on the heels of becoming the latest of her country's sporting icons, the 5ft 10in star enthusiastically told SunSport of Modric: "He's the biggest hero in Croatia. "Everywhere around the world when they ask me where I'm from, I say 'Croatia' and they say 'ah, Modric'. Luka Modric is a great guy, Gvardiol is also amazing, playing for Man City. 'He was the one before me, now it's me and it's great company to be in.' READ MORE IN SPORT HAPPY EVIAN AFTER Raducanu & Alcaraz grow closer as pair spotted with arms round each other On the court, last summer was bittersweet for Vekic, having suffered the most heartbreaking defeat of her career following a blistering run to the Wimbledon semis. In arguably the most memorable match of last year's tournament, the likeable star broke down in tears during the closing stages of her 2-6 6-4 7-6 defeat to Italy's Jasmine Paolini. The loss made Vekic want to quit tennis for a while… but just weeks later she had brushed it off to win Olympic silver. On the quick turnaround, Vekic said: 'I was lucky that the Olympics was so close to Wimbledon because if they weren't then I think I would have been done for a while. It was really heartbreaking. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK BBC's Wimbledon line-up in full Presenters: Clare Balding, Isa Guha, Qasa Alom, Gigi Salmon, Clare McDonnell, Steve Crossman Commentators: Andrew Castle, Chris Bradnam, James Burridge, Naomi Cavaday, Matt Chilton, Andrew Cotter, Katharine Downes, Paul Hand, Abigail Johnson, Robbie Koenig, David Law, Nick Lester, Ronald Mcintosh, Alison Mitchell, Nick Mullins, Pete Odgers, Simon Reed, Candy Reid, Andy Stevenson, Russell Fuller, Jonathan Overend, Iain Carter, Sara Orchard, Maz Farookhi, Claire Thomas, James Gregg, Delyth Lloyd, Chris Dennis, Shourjo Sarkar, Shabnam Younus-Jewell Pundits: John McEnroe, Martina Navratilova, Billie Jean King, Pat Cash, Tracy Austin, Tim Henman, Annabel Croft, Joe Durie, Colin Fleming, Daniela Hantuchova, Dom Inglot, Anne Keothavong, Alicia Molik, Ryan Harrison, John Lloyd, Nick Monroe, Arvind Parmar, Louise Pleming, Sam Smith, Liz Smylie, Mel South, Todd Woodbridge, Jayant Mistry, Louise Hunt, Katie O'Brien, Kim Clijsters, Laura Robson, Naomi Broady, Mark Woodforde, Jeff Tarango, Leon Smith, Coco Vandeweghe, Greg Rusedski, Daniele Hantuchova, Cara Black, Marion Bartoli 'I went back to Croatia and tried to forget about it but everywhere I went people had been watching and would be like 'bad luck, bad luck' - but then the next question was 'how you doing for the Olympics?' and I was like 'Oh my God, really?' 'I didn't want to go - I was ill, I was injured, it was tough. But then when I got to Paris, the energy of the village, of other athletes from other sports really brought me up.' Donna Vekic bursts into tears after 'insane' hawk-eye call in record-breaking Wimbledon semi-final Now back in SW19 - 12 months on from her heartache - Vekic now believes that she can walk with the swagger of a tournament favourite. 'Coming on grass, no one will like to see me in the draw,' Vekic confidently told SunSport. "Women's tennis is at such a high level now, everyone is playing such good tennis so really everyone has a chance to beat everyone and you have to be 100 per cent every match." Vekic opens her Wimbledon campaign against Australia's Kimberly Birrell, and is a potential third round opponent for British No2 Katie Boulter. Following her run in 2024, however, Vekic has her eyes on a far greater prize. "Things came together last year, hopefully they will again this year and maybe I can go a little bit further," she confidently claimed. When SunSport pointed out that any further would mean reaching the final, Vekic didn't shy away from her ambition, adding: "There's not much further, once you get so close to it you feel, you see that you are there, and that you can go for the title. "I don't see why not." 6 The 29-year-old lost a heartbreaker to Jasmine Paolini in last year's semi-finals Credit: Sunday Times 6 Vekic remains a fan favourite wherever she goes Credit: Getty
