UK Sport demands answers in British rowing's rape scandal

Telegraph

06-06-2025

UK Sport, the Olympic funding body, has made urgent contact with British Rowing following 'deeply concerning' allegations at Britain's most prestigious rowing club.
Leander Club, which supplied more than half of Team GB's rowers at the Paris Olympics, has been accused of failing to properly investigate allegations of rape and harassment.
Telegraph Sport has learnt of three separate incidents involving male rowers who allegedly raped female squad members at the esteemed Henley-based club over the past five years.
Concerns from female squad members – which were supported by more than a dozen of the men's rowing team – that sexual assault allegations were not being taken seriously are said to have been repeatedly ignored or dismissed by the Leander committee. The male rowers have denied the rape allegations.
British Rowing received around £26 million of public money at the Paris Olympic and paralympic cycle, an investment that has since been upped to more than £28 million ahead of the Los Angeles Games in 2028. UK Sport have previously instigated investigations following welfare concerns at governing bodies which include British Cycling and British Gymnastic. Following the Leander allegations, UK Sport said: 'Our thoughts are with those affected by the allegations which have recently been reported, and we take matters of integrity and safeguarding extremely seriously.
'We encourage any member of staff or athlete on Olympic and Paralympic performance programmes to report allegations of unacceptable behaviour to Sport Integrity, the confidential reporting line. In light of these deeply concerning allegations, we are in contact with British Rowing.'
In response to Telegraph Sport's investigation, Leander said: 'Leander Club takes seriously all issues relating to the safeguarding of our athletes. 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.
'In addition to an updated code of conduct, we have partnered with a specialist external provider to ensure members of the club know without doubt the standards we expect and the ways to highlight any individual misconduct. When issues are raised, we will continue to take immediate action where necessary to protect the welfare of our athletes.'
A British Rowing spokesperson said: 'We are not able to comment on individual safeguarding concerns and processes conducted at clubs owing to their confidential nature.
'What we are able to say categorically is that the safety of people taking part in our sport is the very first item of importance on our agenda. We investigate anything reported to us fully and comprehensively, as you would expect and as it is our remit to do. This would have been the case if sufficient information had been raised with us to conduct an investigation in respect of the raised allegations.'