Allegations of abuse in gymnastics
Commission for enlightenment starts next week
January 15, 2025 – 2:29 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
Several gymnasts had made allegations of abuse public. A commission to clarify the matter is due to start next week.
Recently, more and more gymnasts have complained about the conditions at the Kunst-Turn-Forum Stuttgart and made allegations of abuse public on social media. These included Tabea Alt and Michelle Tim (you can read more about the allegations here). The German Gymnastics Federation (DTB) has now informed the German Press Agency that the announced investigative commission to investigate the allegations of abuse will be set up next week.
DTB board chairman Kalle Zinnkann explained: “We will probably be able to say something about the announced review next week. We are currently coordinating the process design, the exact scope of the investigation, and also the staffing.” The intervention process means that the association has, among other things, taken measures to maintain training operations in Stuttgart.
Due to the allegations from Alt and Timm, among others, the DTB and the Swabian Gymnastics Association announced a comprehensive investigation. Two coaches were temporarily released until January 19th.
Zinnkann justified the fact that the commission has not yet started its work with legal challenges in previous investigations in sport. The DTB board explained: “We want to avoid that and ensure that when we carry out an investigation, we can use the results afterwards.” The association takes the allegations seriously.
Zinnkann emphasized: “But there will be a status relatively quickly – and that’s why I say next week – which we can then share.” At the same time, a decision will be made in the coming days as to what will happen to the released coaches and their athletes: “We have to wait and see this decision. We are in discussions with the responsible Swabian Gymnastics Association. A decision must be made this week as to what to do “We will certainly ensure that the athletes are not in the hall without a trainer from next week.” So far, national coach Gerben Wiersma and junior national coach Claudia Schunk have taken over as substitutes.