Former gymnast Kim Bui has suffered from eating disorders throughout her career. The now 34-year-old native of Tübingen commented on this in a post on Instagram.
“For many, this is a taboo subject. Today I would like to speak openly about it and I wish that this sensitive topic would be treated with respect,” she wrote. “I was sporty and thin, but not so that one could have become suspicious. I found out the way years ago. But it took a long time for me as an affected person to be able to deal with it more openly. Too much shame, disgust and Guilt plagued me.”
But it is part of her story, emphasized Bui, who ended her career last year after 17 years in the national team.
Gymnastics is a sport that is about aesthetics, body-hugging leotards are worn, “where every body proportion is emphasized and it is still often characterized by a child’s body shape. Other sports are also at risk for the development of an eating disorder, such as figure skating , rhythmic gymnastics, ski jumping or sports that involve weight classes,” Kim Bui continued.
