Toxic swimming clubs: 'We are not in the military'

Elite swimmers who claim a toxic culture left some careers in tatters and others with long-term health issues said a review of the sport must change attitudes forever.

Former and current swimmers have contacted the BBC after Swim England chief executive Jane Nickerson apologised to those who had been harmed by a bullying culture.

Their allegations include being threatened with being thrown off teams if they failed to meet unreasonable weight loss targets, while one group of swimmers dubbed themselves "the Fat Bitch Club" after being told they were too heavy to succeed.

British Swimming Championship medallist Emily Crane said: "There needs to be more accountability for what has gone on.

"Elite swimming does not have to be this brutal - we all work hard, we know it's tough, but we are not in the military."

It was announced last month Swim England would ban the weighing of swimmers under 18 after several told the BBC they suffered eating disorders and mental health issues.

But many athletes say their ordeals began at 18, while others say their experiences as children had long-term implications that affect them to this day.

They include:

• A highly successful former Team GB competitor who said she had quit before the Olympics because her confidence was "shattered" due to humiliating putdowns regarding her weight and performance. The European medallist, who wanted to remain anonymous, said her periods had stopped for three years due to chronic under-eating to try to her meet her coach's expectations
• A former elite swimmer who said she had been bulimic for 18 years following comments made about her body by her coach - she said she was undergoing fertility treatment due to years of missed periods. "This has really impacted my whole life," she said. "I don't want this to face any other swimmers coming through programmes today."

Swim England told the BBC it "recognised the bravery of those who have spoken out" and said it was because of them - and those coming forward as part of an ongoing independent review - "we are able to take proactive formative action".

"We recognise that, on occasions, behaviours have fallen short of the culture we strive for," a spokeswoman added.