Abuse in gymnastics: former gymnasts raise the alarm!

national coach Gerben Wiersma will take over training operations at the federal base in Stuttgart from January 7th. The young national coach Claudia Schunk will also be in action there. Training at the federal base starts on Thursday. In the past few weeks, former gymnasts, including Tabea Alt and Michelle Timm, have made grievances at the Stuttgart Art Gymnastics Forum.

The allegations include "systematic physical and mental abuse" as well as catastrophic circumstances. The top gymnast Lara Hinsberger, who reported on her time in Stuttgart, reported on her experience and psychotherapeutic treatment. Elisabeth Seitz, German record champion, called for a comprehensive review of the allegations of abuse. The German Turner Association (DTB) has announced an investigation and initiated immediate measures. In addition, together with the Swabian Turner Association (StB), the DTB has concrete information on the possible misconduct of coaches at the Stuttgart base.

serious allegations and personal fates

At the Stuttgart base, numerous abuse incidents have been reported in gymnastics. More and more athletes are raising allegations against the training conditions. Lara Hinsberger, a 20-year-old gymnast, describes serious grievances. She felt treated like an object and was physically and mentally heavily stressed. Despite serious injuries, including a stress fracture in the shin and a meniscus tear, she continued to train against medical advice. At the German Championships 2019, they weighed 37 kilograms with a height of 1.60 meters, and worried coaches were ignored.

The 14-year-olds were diagnosed with depression. In addition to Hinsberger, former selection gymnasts such as Tabea Alt and Michelle Timm have made grievances public. Elisabeth Seitz calls for the allegations of abuse and responsibility in this context. Hinsberger himself speaks for basic reforms in German gymnastics and indicates grievances at other locations. Kim Bui, a former top gymnast, describes the environment as a manipulative atmosphere and demands consequences of labor law.