[Jenni855]

I used to do elite gymnastics from the age of 7. One thing that continues to haunt me was the forced stretching. The coaches used to sit on us and pull our legs and arms back hard often until we cried. Or they would get older gymnasts to do the same to us. One of these girls used to stretch me so hard, I wouldn't be able to walk properly after and would often fall back down into a heap on the floor. Another time she was with a friend and was trying to make him laugh so forced me into positions which made me almost scream out in pain whilst they sat and laughed at my tears. is this even legal? It still upsets me when I think of another child going through the same thing.

[lizardlady]

Jenni, I don't know if it's legal, but it's wrong! I used to teach people to ride horses. I was taught, and taught my students, to stretch until you start to feel a pull then hold at that position. It seems to me that what you describe could cause long term injuries.

[Jenni855]

Yes that was my impression and my opinion is that coaches should only apply a little pressure for a small amount of time and stop when the gymnast says so. Ours used to last about 10 minutes all in and as I say, grown women would be sitting on us and ignoring us if we cried or asked them to stop.
Something not right and feel I need to take it further, it has played on my mind for years.