At least 60 young girls feared to have been sexually abused by Olympic gymnast turned top coach
AT least 60 young girls are feared to have been sexually abused by a top gymnastics coach.
Lawyers are now planning to sue British Gymnastics over the shocking claims.
A whistle-blower known as Emma says she was raped aged eight in the mid-1970s by Olympic diver Brian Phelps at the BG-affiliated trampolining gym he ran with his wife Monica.
Barrister Bruce Drummond, who represents sex abuse victims of Mohamed Fayed, said: “This is a horrific case — and it is vast.
“One brave lady stood up and she has been contacted by dozens of survivors.
“We have been told there are at least 60 victims.
“It is a huge and very serious breach of trust. We are looking to get some justice for these women who have suffered such horrendous ordeals.”
Phelps, who won a bronze at the 1960 Rome Olympics, set up his gym in Poole, Dorset, after his diving career ended.
He was jailed in 2008, aged 64, after admitting historical indecent assaults against three children aged between six and 15.
He served six years and is understood to now live in France.
British Gymnastics said: “Abuse of any kind has absolutely no place in gymnastics.
“We are truly sorry for any abuse in our sport.”