Jessica Shuran Yu: Singapore says it’s enhancing safeguards after figure skater reveals ‘systematic abuse’ by Chinese coaches

The China-born 19-year-old revealed ‘physical, mental and verbal abuse’ experienced in teenage training days

‘The well-being of all athletes is paramount to the legitimacy of sport’ – national sports agency spokesperson

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Singapore figure skater Jessica Shuran Yu reveals instances of abuse during her teenage training years in China. Photo: Instagram/_jessicayu_

Published: 4:54pm, 24 Jul 2020Updated: 4:54pm, 24 Jul 2020

Sport Singapore and the Singapore Ice Skating Association are said to be “dismayed” after accusations of verbal, physical and mental abuse made by former China-born Singapore national team figure skater Jessica Shuran Yu.

A report in the The Straits Times said a national sports agency spokesperson confirmed they are in contact and supporting 19-year-old Yu via Association (Sisa) safeguarding officers and the Safe Sport Taskforce.

Earlier in the week, Yu told The Guardian about the “dehumanising” treatment and “systematic” abuse experienced from coaches during her teens in China. She later detailed her experiences via a six-part Instagram post, saying the problem goes beyond single sports.

“The well-being of all athletes is paramount to the legitimacy of sport,” the national sports agency spokesperson said. “[Yu] has reached out to Sisa’s safeguarding officer and the Safe Sport Taskforce, and we are supporting her as necessary.”

Yu, whose father is Singaporean, represented Singapore at the 2017 Southeast Asian Games. She recounted being repeatedly hit by her coach and other incidents since the age of 11.