Allegations of rape at rowing membership ‘deeply concerning’ say Sport England and UK Sport

Allegations of rape and harassment at one among Britain’s maximum prestigious rowing golf equipment had been described as “deeply concerning” via Sport England and UK Sport.

Both investment our bodies have raised their issues with British Rowing after the Telegraph reported there were 3 separate alleged rape incidents involving male rowers inside the previous 5 years on the Leander Club, which provided greater than part of Team GB’s rowers on the Paris Olympics.

According to the Telegraph, the ladies rowers on the membership had taken to dressed in white ribbons and crimson vests in 2024 to protest in opposition to what was once described as “the worst-kept secret in British rowing”, and that a number of male participants additionally joined them in protest.

In a observation, Sport England, the investment frame of grassroots game in England, stated it had raised the subject with British Rowing and suggested the sufferers to visit the police.

“These are deeply concerning allegations regarding both behaviours and cultures, and our thoughts are with those who have been impacted,” it stated. “It is vital that sports clubs are safe and welcoming, and that all issues are investigated swiftly and properly.

“We encourage any individual who has experienced such behaviour to report directly to the police. Sport England has raised this matter with British Rowing, and we will continue to monitor the situation.”

A equivalent message was once conveyed via UK Sport, which finances elite game throughout Great Britain and Northern Ireland. “Our thoughts are with those affected by the allegations which have recently been reported, and we take matters of integrity and safeguarding extremely seriously,” it stated.

“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 a observation, the Leander Club stated it took critically all problems in relation to the safeguarding of its 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,” it added.

A British Rowing spokesperson stated it was once now not ready to touch upon particular person safeguarding issues and processes performed at golf equipment owing to their confidential nature. “As such there is a very limited amount that we can say when we are approached in connection with issues that fall into this category,” it added.

“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.”