Gymnastics Australia Breached Human Rights of Girl with Broken Back, Report Finds
In a damning indictment of Australia’s gymnastics oversight, an international ethics body has ruled that Gymnastics Australia (GA) violated the human rights of a young athlete by failing to properly investigate her complaint of abuse, which allegedly led to a severe spinal injury. The report, released by the Disciplinary Commission of the Gymnastics Ethics Foundation (GEF) on September 2, 2025, centers on the case of 12-year-old Trinity de Lance, who suffered a broken back while training in excruciating pain. This ruling marks a significant escalation in the ongoing scrutiny of abuse and negligence within the sport, highlighting systemic failures in complaint handling and athlete welfare.
The Incident and Complaint
Trinity de Lance’s ordeal dates back to 2021, when, at the age of 12, she was training under intense conditions at a gymnastics facility in Australia. According to her mother, Stieve de Lance, Trinity reported severe pain to her coaches but was allegedly forced to continue training, resulting in a fractured vertebra—a broken back. The injury, which required medical intervention and ongoing rehabilitation, was attributed by the family to non-accidental violence and inadequate supervision during sessions. Trinity, now 16, has spoken publicly about the trauma, stating that all athletes deserve to have their rights respected and that the experience has left lasting psychological scars.
The de Lance family lodged a formal complaint with Sport Integrity Australia (SIA), the independent body tasked with investigating integrity issues in Australian sports, on behalf of GA. However, the subsequent investigation was criticized for its shortcomings, including the failure to interview key witnesses, such as the doctor who examined Trinity, and for not adopting a trauma-informed approach when questioning the young athlete, who was 13 at the time of the interviews. This “derelict” process, as described by advocates, prompted the family to escalate the matter to the GEF, an international watchdog affiliated with the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG).
Key Findings of the GEF Report
The GEF’s Disciplinary Commission report unequivocally found that GA breached three core FIG codes: the Code of Discipline, the Code of Ethics, and the Safeguarding Policy. Central to the ruling was GA’s inadequate delegation and supervision of the independent investigator appointed by SIA. The commission stated that the probe “failed to ensure that gymnastics was free from non-accidental violence” and ignored the girl’s reports of abuse. Specifically:
- Omission of Key Evidence: The investigator did not interview the examining doctor or other relevant witnesses, leading to a conclusion that the medical evidence was “inconclusive” regarding the injury’s cause. This oversight directly undermined the complaint’s credibility and the athlete’s right to a fair process.
- Lack of Trauma-Informed Practices: The report criticized the absence of a sensitive interviewing method suitable for a child complainant, violating principles of child protection and human rights.
- Human Rights Violations: By not properly instructing the investigator, GA failed to respect Trinity’s right to have her complaint adequately addressed, constituting a breach of her fundamental human rights under international sports ethics standards.
The panel emphasized that these lapses created an environment where abuse could persist unchecked, echoing broader concerns about a “win-at-all-costs” culture in gymnastics that prioritizes performance over safety.
Broader Context of Abuse in Australian Gymnastics
This case is not isolated but part of a long-standing pattern of allegations against GA and the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS). A landmark 2021 independent review by the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC), titled “Change the Routine,” exposed a pervasive culture of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse in the sport, dating back decades. The AHRC report, based on 138 written submissions and 47 interviews, detailed harrowing accounts of body-shaming, forced training through injuries, and bullying, particularly affecting young female athletes—91% of whom are under 12 and 77% female. It recommended external investigations for abuse complaints and a shift to athlete-centered coaching, which GA pledged to implement.
Subsequent developments have included SIA investigations into 35 complaints starting in 2021, with several, including Trinity’s, deemed “neither substantiated nor unsubstantiated.” In 2022, former gymnasts reported being asked to sign non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) during GA’s Restorative Engagement Program, which critics labeled a “gag order” that silenced victims rather than fostering transparency. By 2023, GA backed away from commitments to join the National Redress Scheme for childhood sexual abuse survivors, citing financial constraints despite receiving millions in grants.
Advocacy groups like Athletes Rights Australia, co-founded by survivor Alison Quigley—who assisted the de Lances—have hailed the GEF ruling as a “milestone determination.” Quigley stressed that it mandates robust investigations and holds national bodies accountable for SIA’s shortcomings, sending a message to the wider Australian sports community.
Responses and Reactions
GA issued a statement acknowledging and accepting the GEF findings, reiterating its commitment to impartiality and procedural integrity through independent processes. However, the organization did not address why it failed to apologize directly to the de Lances or check on Trinity’s welfare, nor did it respond to questions about the trauma inflicted by the flawed investigation. ABC Sport has sought further comment from SIA.
The de Lance family expressed mixed relief and frustration. Stieve de Lance emphasized the need for transparency, stating, “We will never be done until Gymnastics Australia acknowledges that they were wrong and that they need to put this right because, until we do, no one else is safe.” Trinity’s case has reignited calls from former athletes, such as Olympic medalist Mary-Anne Monckton, for systemic reform to eliminate fear-based coaching and ensure child safety.
Sports ethicists and human rights advocates view this as a pivotal moment. The GEF noted that other unsubstantiated cases are being pursued internationally, potentially leading to further sanctions against GA. The Australian Sports Commission, which oversees high-performance programs like the AIS, has previously apologized for past abuses but faces renewed pressure to enforce accountability.
Implications for the Future
The GEF report underscores the urgent need for Gymnastics Australia to overhaul its safeguarding mechanisms, including mandatory trauma-informed training for investigators and stricter oversight of external probes. With gymnastics involving over 231,000 participants—mostly young girls—the stakes are high for preventing future harm. Failure to act could result in loss of FIG accreditation or increased legal liabilities, especially as global scrutiny on athlete rights intensifies.
For Trinity de Lance and her family, the ruling offers partial vindication but highlights the long road to full accountability. As Quigley noted, this decision ensures that “key witnesses and key evidence must be considered, or it’s breaching the codes.” It serves as a stark reminder that in elite sports, the pursuit of excellence must never come at the expense of human rights, particularly for vulnerable young athletes.
Sources: ABC News, Australian Human Rights Commission, BBC News, Reuters