Archive · 20 May 2025
Gold Medalist Shares Coach's Regime Damaged Health, Reveals Abuse
Rūta Meilutytė, a gold medalist, says her swim coach, Jon Rudd, made her feel bad about her body and pressured her about food, leading to eating disorders and depression.
Other swimmers also reported bullying and a harsh training environment under Rudd.
Swim England, the swimming authority, failed to act on a 2012 investigation.
The coach's actions are now under scrutiny, with many swimmers reporting lasting harm.
A broader investigation is looking at other cases of abuse.
Rūta Meilutytė says coach Jon Rudd's methods caused her emotional and mental distress.
Multiple swimmers at Plymouth Leander reported bullying and a toxic training environment.
Swim England failed to act on a 2012 investigation into Rudd.
Rudd made comments about Meilutytė's weight and body image, contributing to her issues.
Swim England is reviewing over 1,500 safeguarding cases after the investigation.
- Who
- Rūta Meilutytė, Jon Rudd, Cassie Patten, Phoebe Lenderyou, David Painter, Swim England
- What
- Allegations of bullying, verbal abuse, and a toxic training environment by coach Jon Rudd; Swim England's failure to act on previous investigations.
- When
- From 1989 to 2017; 2012 (investigation); Ongoing (safeguarding review)
- Where
- Plymouth Leander; Royal Wolverhampton School Swimming Club
- Why
- Rudd's coaching methods, comments, and strict regimes led to emotional distress, eating disorders and mental health issues for multiple swimmers.
Swimmers
Swim England & Jon Rudd
Impact of Coaching
Swimmers
Swimmers allege Rudd's coaching regime caused significant mental and physical harm, including eating disorders and depression.
Swim England & Jon Rudd
Jon Rudd has not responded to requests for comment regarding the allegations.
Institutional Accountability
Swimmers
Swimmers felt unsupported and harmed by Swim England's failures to take action.
Swim England & Jon Rudd
Swim England admits failing to act and expresses deep regret for the harm caused, but Rudd denies all allegations.
- Gold Medalist
- Rūta Meilutytė
- Former Coach
- Jon Rudd
- Number of former swimmers that made allegations against Rudd
- 12
- Governing Body
- Swim England
- Investigation year
- 2012
- Health Issues Reported
- Eating disorders and depression