Olympic gold medallist Rūta Meilutytė has revealed the toll of a high-pressure coaching environment under Jon Rudd, one of Britain’s most celebrated swim coaches. Speaking to BBC Panorama, the Lithuanian swimmer said she was left “broken” by Rudd’s intense focus on weight and diet, which she says contributed to her battles with depression and an eating disorder.
Meilutytė, who stunned the world by winning 100m breaststroke gold at just 15 during the London 2012 Olympics, trained under Rudd at Plymouth Leander—one of the UK’s most elite swimming clubs.
“I told him I was making myself sick to lose weight,” she said. “He laughed and said, ‘Well, at least you get the calories out.'” While she said Rudd did later seek help for her, she recalled other demeaning comments, including being told her “ass was fat” moments before a major competition.
“He made me for a while, and then he broke me,” Meilutytė said.
Systemic Allegations from Former Swimmers
Meilutytė is one of 12 former swimmers who have come forward to allege bullying, body shaming, and a toxic food culture under Rudd’s leadership. Several of the claims relate to his time at Plymouth Leander between 1989 and 2017.
Rudd has not responded to the BBC’s requests for comment.
The Panorama investigation has also unearthed a confidential 2012 report recommending Rudd’s suspension for four months following allegations of bullying and abusive behaviour. The report included testimony from 17 witnesses.
Despite these findings, no disciplinary action was taken by Swim England, the sport’s governing body. Newly appointed CEO Andy Salmon admitted he does not know why the suspension was not enforced but issued a public apology.
“I’m deeply, deeply sorry to everyone harmed by the governing body’s failings,” he said.
A Culture of Silence and Missed Warnings
Rudd’s tenure coincided with the rise of Antony James, a Commonwealth Games silver medallist and 2012 Olympian. James, who was coached by Rudd from the age of eight, was sentenced to 21 years in prison earlier this year for the rape of two girls he met through the club.
Three former swimmers told Panorama that Rudd should have known James was engaging in inappropriate behaviour with underage girls. One former swimmer and ex-girlfriend of James said, “Everyone knew. It was very out there and open.”
She was 16 when she began dating James, who was 22 at the time. She believes she was used as a “gateway” to groom younger girls.
More Voices Emerge: Injuries, Eating Disorders, and Broken Dreams
Olympic bronze medallist Cassie Patten and Commonwealth Youth champion Phoebe Lenderyou also spoke out about the damaging culture at the club. Patten said she was forced to train with a serious shoulder injury that eventually ended her career in 2011. Lenderyou said the strict diet controls under Rudd worsened her own eating disorder.
Plymouth Leander, now under different leadership, said it was “deeply concerned” by the allegations and has since reviewed its safeguarding protocols. It pointed to Plymouth College—Rudd’s employer during his tenure—as responsible for oversight.
Plymouth College has now ended its partnership with the club and operates a separate swimming programme, Plymouth College Aquatics. It said it was “deeply concerned” by the testimonies and reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding.
Governing Body Promises Review Amid Mounting Pressure
After Panorama brought the 2012 report to light, Swim England announced a review of 1,500 safeguarding cases dating back to 2002. This comes after a 2024 report commissioned by the governing body itself found a widespread “culture of fear” in UK aquatic sports.
Swim England has faced sustained criticism for failing to act on complaints and for leaving whistleblowers in the dark.
New Allegations at Wolverhampton Club
Further allegations have emerged from Royal Wolverhampton School Swimming Club. Eleven parents filed complaints in 2023 and 2024 about head coach David Painter’s behaviour.
One swimmer, Abby, 17, said she suffered panic attacks after being forced to train on the morning of her GCSE exams. “Towards the end, I was literally having full-blown panic attacks,” she said. She eventually quit the sport.
Alison Hickman, the club’s former welfare officer, told the BBC she reported the names of concerned parents to Swim England—none of whom were contacted.
Swim England said it had asked the school to resolve the matter. The school responded that all complaints are “investigated swiftly and appropriately”.
Painter, who has since moved to coach in Canada, denied the allegations and described them as “untrue and defamatory”. He said his coaching had always prioritised athlete wellbeing.
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