Chinese school denies abuse claim

China training stuns Pinsent

The Chinese sports school criticised by British rowing legend Matthew Pinsent for its treatment of young gymnasts has denied allowing "physical abuse".

Pinsent told BBC Sport he was disturbed by events at the Shichahai school when conducting a tour of Beijing to assess its preparations for the 2008 Olympics.

But the school said officials had not received any reports of mistreatment.

"Physical abuse is strictly forbidden here," said a spokeswoman for the school's executive office on Tuesday.

Jowell to assess Pinsent claims

Shichahai school is one of China's most famous sporting academies and British Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell has said that Pinsent's observations should be investigated.

But the Beijing Organising Committee has categorically denied wrongdoing.

And Olympic officials said at the time that it would be inappropriate to comment on "third hand" remarks.

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