Ellie Downie, who announced her 23-year-old gymnastics retirement, stated that her mental health must come first. During her senior year, Downie earned 12 medals, including the gold in the all-around European competition in 2017. In 2020, Downie and her older sister Becky said that the British gymnastics team had “completely normalized” violent and harsh behavior.
Ellie Downie, a 23-year-old former European champion, declared her retirement from gymnastics in order to “prioritize mental health.”
During her senior year, Downie earned 12 medals, including the European all-around gold in 2017. She also holds two bronze medals from world championships.
A “heavy heart and an array of emotions” have guided Downie’s choice to retire, she adds.
“After a really tough last few years I’ve made the decision to prioritise my mental health and happiness,” Downie stated.
“Gymnastics has been my life for as long as I can remember and I am proud of everything I was fortunate enough to achieve.”I will truly miss competing and winning medals for Great Britain. It has meant everything to me.”
Ellie Downie and her sister Becky stated in 2020 that abusive behavior was “ingrained” and “completely normalized” in British gymnastics.
The Whyte Review came to the conclusion in 2022 that systematic abuse existed in British gymnastics.
“I didn’t want to respond until I’d had adequate time to read and properly digest everything in yesterday’s announcement,” Becky posted on social media in response to the results.