Sanne Wevers left the Dutch gymnastics selection with immediate effect on Monday. The 2016 Olympic champion on beam says that the behavior of a teammate and the lack of support from gymnastics association KNGU is the reason for her decision.
“A persistent, unworkable situation has arisen for me. As a result, I can no longer function properly within our team. After all, the basis is that you feel safe and at ease in a team and that you interact with each other in a collegial manner,” says 30-year-old Wevers. in a press release.
“Over the past six months, I have done everything I can to change this situation. Unfortunately, this has not been possible due to the lack of direction from the KNGU. I am therefore very disappointed in the KNGU.”
It is not clear which teammate Wevers is referring to and what exactly is going on. The gymnast does say that an incident took place six months ago for which her teammate had an official warning.
“Although the association has indicated that the seriousness of the situation is endorsed, it has not taken any further action afterwards. Due to the lack of cooperation from the gymnast, a mediation process with an external agency has been facilitated. This teammate has also indicated that he does not want to cooperate. and not wanting to start a conversation,” says Wevers.
“The KNGU has rules of conduct and contact, but, in view of the situation that has arisen, it appears that it is unable to actually follow them up and to attach consequences to them. Neither the technical director, nor the general director, nor (the chairman of) the board is managed to turn the tide and restore the team process.”
Sanne Wevers became Olympic champion on beam in 2016. It is the absolute pinnacle of her career.
Sanne Wevers became Olympic champion on beam in 2016. It is the absolute pinnacle of her career. Photo: AP
‘I don’t stop as an athlete’
Wevers and the KNGU had already had a very turbulent time, in which her father Vincent Wevers and several other gymnastics coaches were accused of transgressive behaviour.
“I find it unimaginable that I find myself in this situation and see no prospects that this will be solved in the short term. I can only conclude that I do not fit and do not want to fit into the current organization and culture of the KNGU. This are not the standards and values I stand for and this is not a healthy top sports environment for me,” Wevers concludes her press release.
“It is of course extremely painful that I had to take this decision after eighteen years of gymnastics at the top level. This means that I will now leave the national selection, but this does not mean that I will stop as an athlete. I will use the coming period to investigate how I will fill in my future. Finally, I would like to emphasize that my father Vincent’s experiences with the KNGU have no influence on my decision.”
The KNGU has not yet responded to Wevers’ decision and explanation. Sister Lieke Wevers is still in the gymnastics selection, as are names such as Elze Geurts, Vera van Pol, Eythora Thorsdottir, Sanna Veerman, Naomi Visser and Tisha Volleman.