As a ZDF documentary revealed, a Hessian coach is said to have behaved over-it-all. Hurfish runner Eileen dases breaks her silence, which also has an impact on her competitor Elena Kelety shortly before the World Cup.
Shortly before the highlight of the season, the thoughts of athletes should actually be aimed at their competition. But even before the first starting signal at the World Cup in Tokyo (September 13th to 21st) was found, there is turmoil in the German and also Hessian athletics scene.
Eileen dases breaks her silence
The reason is the frontal documentation “Gold, silver, abuse of power – the dark side of athletics” (ZDF)in which athletes report attacking coaches. Eileen Demes, a Frankfurt 400-meter hurdle runner, also breaks her silence after years. She accuses her former coach abuse of power, describes in the documentary that he wrote her love letters and put her under pressure.
Several athletes affected
“I felt uncomfortable, but I personally never felt endangered,” she explains to HR sports. “But I think there are athletes who are in completely different situations. So it is a very important topic. And it is also important to show that the border is a bit earlier than some maybe think.”
Demes left this trainer at the end of 2022. Two other athletes turned to Hessian athletics (HLV) due to the same trainer in 2023. In conversation with HLV, they accused him of attacking behavior and psychological pressure. The association reacted with suspension.
Suspended from HLV in 2023
“In the conversation, we felt that things that are too tight.
Even if the allegations were not relevant to the criminal law after evaluating the association, the HLV decided to end the cooperation with the man who was previously working as a squad coach. Ebert emphasizes that in his experience, an attacking coaching behavior can also lead to sexual violence in the further course.
Trainers in Hessian clubs continue to
In Hessian clubs, however, the trainer was able to continue working. Elena Kelety, who until recently trained in a group with him, said nothing about the concrete allegations. It was only of this and their statements in the ZDF research that the coach was finally fired there in July 2025.
Elena Kelety: “I’m not affected.”
Kelety made it clear: “I am not affected by the sexual-psychological allegations.” But she sees the need for suspension. In the meantime, she is preparing for the world championship at the national coach Langhurde.
But how was it possible that a suspended national coach could continue to give training in Hessian clubs? “German law makes it possible,” replies Ebert to this question. Because this protects the personality of the trainer and prevents that in this case the Hessian athletics association may speak openly with its clubs.
HLV demands regulations for consistent action
“Unfortunately, we are still at the beginning with these topics. We hope that we can do more,” said HLV President, Klaus Schuder. Prevention is of course important here – the schools of athletes, as well as parents and trainers. “Nevertheless, of course, we have to give ourselves a set of rules as associations and the complete organized sport, so that when there are black sheep, we can act faster and more consistently.”
DLV deprives A license
After the German Athletics Association (DLV) was informed about the allegations against the Hessian coach in the course of the ZDF documentation, the DLV according to its own statements immediately initiated an A-licensed withdrawal process with the result that the A license is withdrawn. “When I see the overall situation, this is affected on the one hand and on the other hand it also makes me angry. As a father of two daughters, I am also emotional,” said Jörg Bügner, board member of the DLV, the sports show.
For the DLV, the protection of the athletes stands at the very first place. “For us this is the top maxim and all efforts are based on it.”
The accused coach himself left a deadline in which he was asked by HR for a statement.
