Scandals in the Stuttgart gymnastics: Shake allegations of abuse!

Serious allegations of physical and mental abuse at the gymnastics base in Stuttgart are currently causing a stir. Affected gymnasts, including Lara Hinsberger from Saarland, have reported serious grievances from their time at the base. Hinsberger said on Instagram that she had to train contrary to medical advice and felt like an "object". She suffered from depression and underweight, which also reinforces her experience. On request, the Stuttgart public prosecutor's office has made it clear that there is currently no procedure pending and that it lacks "sufficient factual indications for persecutory crimes". This means that no investigations are initiated ex officio, such as Tagesschau.de reported.

The allegations against the German Turner Association (DTB) and the Swabian Gymnastics Association (StB) shake German gymnastics in a further context. Several gymnasts and former athletes express their experiences about social media. Meolie Jauch explained that she ended her career at the age of 17 due to mental pressure. Emelie Petz reported on eating disorders and self -doubt without making concrete allegations. In addition, Tabea raises allegations of eating disorders, criminal training, painkillers, threats and humiliation. Michelle Timm spoke of years of grievances at the Stuttgart base. Janine Berger also called for changes in the German gymnastics system, while Eli Seitz emphasized the need to remedy grievances and to be held accountable. The DTB and the StB are affected by the gymnasts and assure that complaints take seriously, such as swr.de reported.

reactions and demands for clarification

The associations have already announced a processing process to extensively examine the allegations. In particular, DTB and StB collected information on the possible misconduct of trainers at the base in Stuttgart. However, the course of the training company at the Kunst-Turn-Forum in Stuttgart was not affected; This should start again after the holidays on January 2. Those responsible, including Turn national coach Gerben Wiersma and young national coach Claudia Schunk, will take over the training sessions from January 7th. In addition, athletes Germany calls for a rapid clarification of the allegations and the implementation of the Safe Sport Codes.