British gymnastics coach Claire Barbieri suspended amid independent review into allegations of abuse

The former coach of British Olympians Becky and Ellie Downie has been suspended following a complaint.

Claire Barbieri, who is the director of Robin Hood Gymnastics Club in Nottingham and a national technical advisor for Scottish Gymnastics, has been barred from coaching or judging by British Gymnastics.

Barbieri used to be the director of coaching at Notts Gymnastics Academy, the training base of the Downie sisters, who are world medallists and will be part of Team GB‘s squad for the Tokyo.

The former coach of British Olympians Becky and Ellie Downie has been suspended

She also used to coach ex-England gymnast Nicole Pavier, who complained last month about being weight shamed by Barbieri.

British Gymnastics said: ‘Suspension is a ‘non’ blame process to protect both members to whom the suspended person may pose a risk and the suspended person who has had allegations made against them, imposed where judged necessary while we or the police or children’s services investigate a complaint.

Claire Barbieri has been barred from coaching or judging by British Gymnastics

‘A suspended person cannot take part in any British Gymnastics regulated activity (including coaching, judging, taking part as a gymnast etc) but remains a member of British Gymnastics.’

Barbieri’s suspension is the first since an independent review into allegations of abuse in the sport was commissioned last month.

The NSPCC and British Athletes Commission have also launched a confidential hotline for gymnasts to report mistreatment.