Tokyo, Jul 20 (IANS): A report by Human Rights Watch says young athletes in Japan have suffered physical, verbal and sexual abuse during training.

As per a BBC report, the Human Rights Watch report has recorded experiences of more than 800 athletes in 50 sports.

"The abuses include punching, slapping and excessive or insufficient food and water," said HRW's Minky Worden as quoted by BBC Sport.

"Human Rights Watch is calling on Japan to take decisive action and to lead in tackling this global crisis," added Worden, who is HRW's director of global initiatives.

The report is based on interviews, an online survey that got 757 responses and meetings with eight Japanese sports organisations, the BBC report further said.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) said in a statement: "We acknowledge the Human Rights Watch report. Harassment and abuse is unfortunately part of society and also occurs within sport.

"The IOC stands together with all athletes, everywhere, to state that abuse of any kind is contrary to the values of Olympism, which calls for respect for everyone in sport."