The Turn-European Championship will take place in Leipzig in three months. The abuse scandal of Stuttgart confuses the preparation – also that of Helen Kevric.
The expressions are grown when Stuttgart’s keyword. The scandal for allegations at the art-gymnastics forum there has now arrived in the competition halls beyond the sports policy aspects. Three months before the European home championships as part of the German gymnastics festival in Leipzig, the prospects for a carefree and successful event are clouded. Because for the Stuttgart gymnasts around young star Helen Kevric, time is scarce.
Alfons Hölzl: “Manifestations the mental violence “
“It is important to emphasize that we have an important tournament year in Germany ahead of us with the German Gymnastics Festival and the European Championships in Leipzig – certainly two very important events in Germany – also socially”, ” Alfons said Hölzl, President of the German Turner Association (DTB) on the edge of the home World Cup in Cottbus. Both would be “admittedly overshadowed by the allegations of abuse”. One deals with “manifestations of mental violence”.
The DTB has been facing diverse problems since the grievances became known at the base in Stuttgart at the end of December. Two trainers were releasedfor the time being without the prospect of return, and lack the care of the top gymnasts. The Stuttgart public prosecutor’s office has investigated suspected coercion in several cases.
The law firm Rettenmaier from Frankfurt am Main examines the allegations on behalf of the association. An announced external expert commission for clarification is still a long time coming and should only start their work when the lawyers have done their job.
No schedule for expert council
“There is still no schedule,” said DTB sports director Thomas Gutekunst. The Baden-Württemberg Sports Ministry has frozen funds for the Kunst-Turn-Forum (KTF) and does not want to release it again before completing the Enlightenment by the Expert Council.
This is “the means of pressure that we want an independent information,” said Minister Theresa Schopper (Greens) responsible. He has “no information,” said Gutekunst on the amount of the remedies.
Worries about Helen Kevric
In this tricky mixture, women’s national coach Gerben Wiersma prepares an orderly preparation for the home European Championship from 26th to May 31st. The Dutchman, who will soon also take over training in Stuttgart, is particularly concerned about Helen Kevric.
The 16-year-old had impressed the gymnastics world last year with eighth place in the all-around and sixth place on the uneven bars at the Olympic Games in Paris. As the second best European of the Parisian four -way fight, she was actually predestined to provide German medal shine in Leipzig.
Hope for a long -term solution to the coaching question
However, Kevric is currently there – just like her Stuttgart selection colleague Marlene Gotthardt – without a coach. “This is of course a difficult situation. The KTF team takes care of the training program,” said Wiersma. There is currently no long -term solution. “I really hope that we can offer a long-term solution or at least a good solution to the European Championships, which would give us time to find a better solution,” said the 47-year-old. Fast remedies does not seem to be in sight.
“We are really working hard to improve the situation for the gymnasts,” said the sports director. Only then can you talk about everything else like competition participation. In the meantime in Stuttgart, the former Romanian selection coach Daymon Jones also helped. “He was and is an option that can support,” said Gutekunst.
Close schedule up to the home European Championship
It is unclear when Kevric will stand again to the judges. “She trains. But it is clear that she doesn’t compete,” said Wiersma. He is not even sure whether the 17-year-old will start at home. “As a national coach, of course, I hope that she is in a team. But for this competition you need a construction program. The reality is that it has not been the case since the end of December.”
At the upcoming selection course, the Dutchman wants to put together his ranks for the upcoming competitions at the DTB Cup (March 27th to 30th) and Trofeo Citta di Jesolo in Italy (April 12/13). “We will invite everyone to do this, but not everyone will be there,” he outlined the difficult situation. Two weeks after Jesolo, the first European Championship qualification is already set, the second in the second week of May.
Broadcast on Monday, 24.2.2025 3:00 p.m., SWR Currently in the afternoon, SWR Aktuell
