PARALYMPIANS were subjected to a ‘climate of fear’ in a squad led by a former Bolton swimmer who became a top Team GB coach, an investigation into allegations of bullying has found.

A senior Great Britain para-swimming squad coach was also found to have used ‘abusive and derogatory’ language towards athletes.

Former Bolton Metro swimmer Rob Greenwood left his role as head coach of British Para-Swimming earlier this year, prior to the investigation.

A second member of staff, who is still in a senior role at British Swimming, has been disciplined for a ‘failure to ensure management control’ and a ‘lack of empathy’ towards athletes.

Para-swimming was Paralympics GB’s most successful sport at the Rio 2016 Games, earning 47 medals, including 16 golds.

Dave Evitts, Bolton Metro Swim Squad founder, was Mr Greenwood’s coach at the 2000 Olympics and part of his six-strong coaching team in Rio.

In a statement, British Swimming said: “As regards the one member of staff who has left, it was found he had created a climate of fear for some athletes in the British Para-Swimming programme and there had also been breaches of the staff code by communicating with athletes in an abusive manner, as well as using derogatory terms to describe athletes.”