Main content

The Dark Side of Swimming Clubs

More than 100,000 children train at swimming clubs across England, many hoping one day to compete at the Olympics. But do those dreams of gold medals come at too high a price?

More than 100,000 children train at swimming clubs across England, many hoping one day to compete at the Olympics. But do those dreams of gold medals come at too high a price? Panorama speaks to swimmers who developed eating disorders after being bullied about their weight by coaches and investigates the role of the sport’s regulator, who knew about allegations against senior coaches but did nothing. Swim England has apologised and promised to learn from past mistakes. Reporter Rebecca Woods also investigates the case of convicted rapist Antony James, a former Olympic swimmer who groomed young girls in plain sight at the club where he was a coach.

11 months left to watch

28 minutes

On TV

Tomorrow 00:50
BBC Two

More episodes

Previous

Special Forces: I Saw War Crimes

Next

02/06/2025

See all episodes from Panorama

Credits

Reporter Rebecca Woods
Assistant Producer Georgia Maherson
Executive Producer Leo Telling
Editor Karen Wightman
Producer Jane Fellner
Director Jane Fellner

Broadcasts

Featured in...

Explore the wider challenges that people with a learning disability face in society, and how this impacts on their health

Explore the wider challenges that people with a learning disability face in society, and how this impacts on their health

Find out more with The Open University.