Rick Westhead: Canadian gymnastics coach suspended after abuse allegations

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Prominent Canadian gymnastics coach Elvira Saadi has been suspended by Gymnastics Canada since the end of 2020, pending an investigation into allegations of abuse, the national sports federation confirmed to TSN.

Gymnastics Canada is awaiting the results of a third-party investigation into Saadi by next month, spokesperson Julie Forget wrote in an email on June 29. The internal investigation is still ongoing, a report is expected at the end of July, beginning of August.

The allegations against Saadi, described in a complaint filed by an athlete to Gymnastics Canada in early November, relate to emotional and psychological abuse, the public humiliation of an athlete over his weight and the encouragement of eating disorders. a person familiar with the matter told TSN.

According to Gymnastics Canada policies, the National Federation will convene a disciplinary hearing if an investigation finds the allegations against it to be credible. Otherwise, Saadi would be reinstated.

Saadis’ attorney, Elliot Saccucci, wrote in an emailed statement to TSN that Saadi had devoted his life to coaching.

She categorically denies any allegation of wrongdoing and has cooperated fully with Gymnastics Canada throughout its ongoing investigative process, which she is confident will uphold and restore her outstanding personal and professional reputation, Saccucci wrote on Tuesday. We understand that Gymnastics Canada’s internal investigation process is confidential, for the sake of athletes and coaches, and Ms. Saadi is devastated that this confidentiality has been breached, causing her great emotional and financial hardship.

As a former gymnast and Olympian herself, Ms. Saadi speaks out against abuse in all its forms and has always put the best interests of her athletes and their physical and emotional well-being first.

Saadi, 69, was a member of the Soviet Olympic teams in 1972 and 1976, both of which won team gold medals. She moved to Canada in 1991 and began coaching gymnasts in Cambridge, Ontario.

Saadi was named the Canadian Gymnastics Federations Coach of the Year in 1996 and 2004 and was inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame in 2009.

The problem of abuse in sport has become more frequent in recent years. In December, USA Gymnastics announced that prominent American coach Maggie Haney would be suspended for five years after several gymnasts filed complaints alleging Haney pressured them into training due to serious injuries, repeatedly insulted them and undermined the gymnasts’ relationship with their parents.

Canadian athletes who trained with Saadi include Yvonne Tousek, who competed in the 1996 and 2000 Olympics, Crystal Gilmore (2000 Olympics), Victoria Moors (2012 Olympics) and sister of Victorias Brooklyn Moors, who is scheduled to represent Canada this summer. Tokyo Olympics.

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