Ellie Downie retires from gymnastics aged 23 to ‘prioritise mental health’, former European champion announces
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ByEurosport
Published 23/01/2023 at 14:25 GMT
Ellie Downie has said that her mental health must come first as she announced her retirement from gymnastics at the age of 23. Downie won 12 medals during her senior career – including European gold in the all-around in 2017. In 2020, Downie, along with older sister Becky, said abusive and cruel behaviour in the British gymnastics team had been “completely normalised”.
STUTTGART, GERMANY - OCTOBER 12: Elissa Downie of Great Britain reacts after her routine in Women's Vault Final in the Apparatus Finals during Day 9 of 49th FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships at Hanns-Martin-Schleyer-Halle on October 12, 2019 in
Image credit: Getty Images
Former European champion Ellie Downie has announced her retirement from gymnastics at the age of 23 to “prioritise mental health.”
Downie won 12 medals during her senior career, including European gold in the all-around in 2017. She also has two World Championship bronze medals.
Downie says she has made the decision to retire with a "heavy heart and an array of emotions".
"After a really tough last few years I've made the decision to prioritise my mental health and happiness," Downie said.
"Gymnastics has been my life for as long as I can remember and I am proud of everything I was fortunate enough to achieve.
"Competing and winning medals for Great Britain has meant everything and more to me and I'll miss it enormously."
In 2020 both Ellie and sister Becky Downie said that abusive behaviour in gymnastics in Britain was “ingrained” and “completely normalised”.
In 2022 the Whyte Review concluded that there was systemic abuse within gymnastics in Britain.
In response to the findings, Becky wrote on social media: "I didn't want to respond until I'd had adequate time to read and properly digest everything in yesterday's announcement.
"Twenty-four hours later my overwhelming feeling is: we've finally been heard.
"It feels like a vindication for myself and so many who have known for so long of the serious cultural problems within the sport. A sport I love more than anything.
"Finally everyone knows the truth and while it won't directly benefit those who have experienced it, it's encouraging to know that if the recommendations are implemented, it'll protect and enhance the next generation of gymnasts."
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