Tarnished Medals Episode One -Bob Bellew

Show notes episode one Tarnished Medals - Bob BellewEpisode DescriptionBob Bellew was one of the most highly regarded gymnastics coaches in Britain. He taught at schools across London for more than forty years. He served on committees planning the London 2012 Olympic Games. He was named Male Community Coach by Sport England in partnership with British Gymnastics. He was awarded the Order of the Smile.He was also a primary school teacher He had dual institutional access — the education system and the sports system.In April 2013, Bellew admitted eight of seventeen charges against him, involving six victims, the youngest aged six. His offending spanned forty years — from 1970 to 2010. He was sentenced to fifteen months' imprisonment, suspended for two years. He walked free from court. He did not serve a single day in prison.The investigating detective publicly condemned the sentence. The Solicitor General challenged it as unduly lenient. The Court of Appeal upheld it. And his Order of the Smile has never been revoked.This episode is his legacy.Survivor SupportIf anything in this episode has affected you, support is available:The Brave Movement — international support and healing toolkit (enter your country for local resources) — https://www.bravemovement.org/helpNAPAC (National Association for People Abused in Childhood) — 0808 801 0331 (free, confidential) — https://napac.org.ukThe Survivors Trust — 0808 801 0818 — https://www.thesurvivorstrust.orgChildline — 0800 1111 — https://www.childline.org.ukNSPCC Helpline — 0808 800 5000 — https://www.nspcc.org.ukThe CPTSD Foundation — trauma-informed support and education for complex trauma survivors — https://cptsdfoundation.orgPolice — 101 (non-emergency) to report abuse in a sporting contextYou are not alone. You are believed. And it is never too late to speak.Eating Disorder Support: https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/get-information-and-support/get-help-for-myself/i-need-support-now/helplines/To report a criminal offence:In an emergency, always call 999.Non-urgent: call local police on 101.Crimestoppers (anonymous): Freephone 0800 555 111. Website: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/give-information-online/Website: neverhistoric.comBook: Historic: The True Legacy of Childhood Sport — available now on Amazon in 15 Countries https://www.amazon.co.uk/Historic-Legacy-Childhood-Sport-Parent-ebook/dp/B0FPGRB9MW© Emma Webb 2026. All rights reserved.