BBC One’s investigative flagship Panorama turns its lens on British swimming clubs, with a new report airing Monday, May 19 at 8:00 PM GMT. The episode, “The Dark Side of Swimming Clubs,” scrutinizes allegations of abuse and the sport’s mechanisms for protecting young athletes.
Reporter Rebecca Woods leads the investigation, which includes examinations of coaches reportedly bullying young swimmers about their weight, sometimes leading to eating disorders. The program also delves into the response of Swim England, the sport’s governing body, to allegations leveled against senior coaches.
The Panorama report further explores the case of Antony James, a former Olympic swimmer convicted of rape, who groomed young girls while coaching. With over 100,000 children training at swimming clubs across England, the documentary questions whether the pursuit of Olympic glory comes at too high a price and how sporting regulators address serious allegations. Swim England has issued an apology and stated its intention to learn from past failings.
