British Olympic Association to launch bullying hotline for athletes at Tokyo Games
Follow UsStory highlights
"This would not be their line manager but someone outside the line. It can't be someone in our line management structure."
British Olympic Association chief executive Andy Anson on Sunday said that British athletes competing at this year's Tokyo Olympics will be provided with an independent hotline service to be able to report concerns of physical or psychological abuse.
The step was taken after 17 former British gymnasts filed a group-claim lawsuit against the national governing body British Gymnastics last month. They alleged abusive behaviour.
"One of the things we are ensuring for when we get to Tokyo is that every athlete knows who they can contact if they have got any issues in that environment," Anson told the Mail on Sunday.
"This would not be their line manager but someone outside the line. It can't be someone in our line management structure."
Last year, Britain's Olympic medal-winning gymnast Amy Tinkler and others also spoke out about their experiences with British Gymnastics, accusing coaches of bullying and "body shaming".
"There has got to be an independent hotline you can call without fear of any recrimination and that is really important," Anson added.
"We can have all the policies and procedures in the world but if they are not enforceable or if the athletes don't feel like we are on their side, then they are not right."
(Inputs from Reuters)