Britain’s maximum prestigious rowing membership which has ratings of Team GB athlete individuals is ‘plunged into rape scandal’

Britain’s maximum prestigious rowing membership, which has produced legions of Olympic champions over the past century, has been rocked through allegations it failed to research more than one claims of rape and sexual attack. 

At least 3 male rowers are understood to had been accused of raping feminine membership individuals throughout the closing 5 years on the membership in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire. 

The world-famous status quo is thought of as a ‘world chief in rowing’, consistent with Leander Club’s site, which provides that individuals have secured 159 Olympic and Paralympic medals since 1908 – with 62 of those being gold. 

The Telegraph reported various damning allegations together with that one guy raped a feminine squad member in 2022 and used to be allowed to proceed rowing. 

It used to be additionally claimed {that a} 2nd guy used to be suspended after which excluded following a harassment declare towards him. He used to be readmitted on enchantment and later accused of rape through a distinct feminine rower. 

A 3rd guy used to be accused of raping a feminine rower, who used to be then pressured to take part in a two-week coaching camp with him. 

Female squad individuals, sponsored through greater than a dozen of the male rowers, say allegations of sexual attack have been overlooked or disregarded through the Leander committee.

They additionally accused the membership of cultivating a tradition of sexism and misogyny. 

At least 3 male rowers are understood to had been accused of raping feminine membership individuals throughout the closing 5 years on the membership in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire

Female squad individuals, sponsored through greater than a dozen of the male rowers, say allegations of sexual attack have been overlooked or disregarded through the Leander committee (record %)

One of the rape allegations, reported in April 2023, associated with an incident mentioned to have happened all through a crew evening out, at a flat in Henley.

The girl, who used to be 18 on the time, is known to have spoken to Leander Club and Thames Valley Police. But she therefore failed to provide a proper commentary to police and later withdrew her criticism.

According to resources, the lady had discovered the method too ‘traumatic and traumatising’, however the state of affairs didn’t finish there.

The accused guy, who denies any wrongdoing, used to be allowed to ‘teach, consume and socialise in the similar room because the sufferer’, consistent with a letter of criticism therefore despatched to the membership on October 23, 2024.

Eighteen feminine and 15 male membership individuals advised Leander to research ‘more than one, critical allegations’ towards the person ‘as an issue of urgency’.

Less than two weeks later, on November 6, 2023, chairman Pete Bridge and welfare consultant Keith Settle knowledgeable individuals that the subject were investigated however there used to be ‘inadequate proof’ to development it to a disciplinary.

Despite a male witness and several other ladies volunteering to offer proof, none have been spoken to ahead of the investigation used to be closed, it’s claimed.

One of the rape allegations, reported in April 2023, associated with an incident mentioned to have happened all through a crew evening out, at a flat in Henley (record %)

The feminine sufferer is known to have left Leander following the incident.

In a 2nd declare, a male rower is accused of getting pressured a feminine membership member. He used to be suspended, however used to be allowed to go back beneath enchantment.

Another rower then claimed this identical particular person had up to now raped her, however it’s believed this allegation used to be now not dropped at the eye of the membership or the police. The guy denies any wrongdoing.

With his enchantment nonetheless status, the ladies’s crew reacted through boycotting coaching, ahead of dressed in red as a substitute of conventional white vests once they returned. 

They additionally wore white ribbons as an emblem of unity with sufferers of sexual abuse and rape.

In a 3rd example, a male rower used to be accused of rape through a feminine membership member in 2020.

It is known that once complaining to the membership, she then needed to attend a two-week coaching camp with the person she had accused.

Despite the allegations turning into ‘not unusual wisdom’ a number of the rowers, individuals have been mentioned to had been left aghast through an after-dinner speech given in 2022 through a veteran membership member.

In a 2nd declare, a male rower is accused of getting pressured a feminine membership member. He used to be suspended, however used to be allowed to go back beneath enchantment. Pictured: Henley-on-Thames

The particular person is known to have made remarks of a sexual nature and referred to his penis all through the speech. 

Many membership individuals say they’ve been left feeling uncomfortable and unsupported through Leander within the wake of such accusations.  

One instructed ITV News: ‘It’s actually triggering and makes other folks now not really feel protected. We did not even need there to be males within the health club concurrently us. We did not need to constitute the similar membership as individuals who’ve been accused of such things as that.

‘We sought after to mention “we’re not okay with it, we stand together as a squad…and will not stay silent”.’

Another mentioned: ‘Anyone with skill is secure within the gadget. People assume [rowing] is elitist and it is privileged.

‘If you come up with the money for, sufficient standing, if you are excellent sufficient at recreation, it is k.

‘We have been failed through the very gadget that used to be intended to offer protection to us.’ 

In a commentary, Leander mentioned: ‘Leander Club takes severely all problems in relation to the safeguarding of our athletes. 

‘We have strict procedures in position to scrupulously read about any formal proceedings and steadily evaluation our membership disciplinary processes to verify they’re have compatibility for goal, treating our athletes relatively and with recognize.

‘In addition to an up to date code of behavior, now we have partnered with a expert exterior supplier to verify individuals of the membership know no doubt the factors we predict and the tactics to spotlight anyone misconduct. 

‘When problems are raised, we can proceed to take instant motion the place important to offer protection to the welfare of our athletes.’

Mr Bridge, the Leander chairman, added: ‘The athletes in our squads are on the center of this membership. 

‘When safeguarding problems rise up, as with all organisation, there’s a strict and confidential procedure this is adopted to offer protection to the ones concerned. 

‘We frequently evaluation our safeguarding measures and feature up to date those consistent with our ambition to verify rowing is inclusive and out there for the following wave of athletes pursuing their desires of world carrying good fortune.’

Leander’s in depth cohort of champions come with Sir Steve Redgrave, Sir Matthew Pinsent, James Cracknell, Victoria Thornley and Lola Anderson.

MailOnline had contacted Leander Club for remark.