The National Sports Tribunal has delivered a scathing verdict on Gymnastics Australia, condemning its investigation into multiple bullying allegations against a decorated Olympic coach as 'sloppy and unfair'.
Coach Cleared of 'Trivial' Allegations
Eminent coach Olga Belooussov has been formally cleared of seven allegations of bullying made by a 17-year-old gymnast she had trained since the athlete was eight years old. The complaints, brought by the gymnast's parents in 2024, related to incidents alleged to have occurred over a four-month period in 2023.
In his findings, Bruce Collins KC dismissed the claims, stating they were 'based upon trifles' that had been magnified. He described the situation as a collection of trivial circumstances exaggerated to 'imaginary heights' by a young person prone to stress.
A Flawed Investigative Process
The tribunal revealed that Gymnastics Australia had initially brought twelve allegations against Belooussov under its child safeguarding policy. Its internal investigation committee substantiated seven, issuing the coach with a breach notice that included a six-month supervision order and mandatory training.
Belooussov disputed the findings, leading to the National Sports Tribunal's review. Mr Collins was highly critical of the governing body's process, noting it failed to employ legal counsel for final submissions and made no independent attempt to support the charges.
'The Investigation Report was procedurally flawed, sloppy, unfair to Mrs Belooussov and without reasons,' Collins stated. 'It was altogether lacking in analysis.'
Reputation of a Decorated Coach Upheld
The ruling protects the reputation of Belooussov, a highly awarded coach originally from Russia. She is a three-time winner of Gymnastics Australia's International Level Coach of the Year award.
Alongside her husband Sasha, Belooussov has guided Australian athletes to an impressive 45 international medals. This includes coaching Commonwealth Games gold medallist Georgia Goodwin, who is not involved in the complaint.
The tribunal concluded that Gymnastics Australia's 'overzealous approach' failed to balance the coach's rights against complaints it deemed unjustified. It has urged the federation to completely reorganise its disciplinary structure.
The full report was published this month after the verdict was handed down in May 2024.
