The long-time Chemnitz artistic gymnastics coach Gabi Frehse, as team leader, was unable to lead the Austrian women’s team to the Olympic Games in Paris.
At the World Championships in Antwerp, the 63-year-old’s new protégés only came 15th in the intermediate rankings; at least twelfth place would have been required to qualify.
After allegations from several athletes, including former balance beam world champion Pauline Schäfer-Betz, that Frehse regularly put her under verbal pressure and forced her to take medication, the supervisor and the Chemnitz Olympic base separated in May 2021. In July of this year, Frehse began working at the Austrian performance center in Linz.