Minted by the gymnastics scandal: Helen Kevric raises voice and strengthens!

Minted by the gymnastics scandal: Helen Kevric raises voice and strengthens!

Stuttgart, Deutschland - The challenges in German gymnastics are currently bigger than ever. Helen Kevric, a promising athlete, recently commented on the severe allegations that affect the Kunst-Turn-Forum in Stuttgart in particular. These allegations, which have been in the room since the end of 2022, include systematic physical and mental abuse, both former and active athletes. Kevric emphasizes that she is not a victim of abuse and expresses her grief about no longer being able to work with her former coaches, who are now involved in this scandal. According to ZVW , two instructors have already been released, while the state criminal office and the public prosecutor's office Stuttgart have been determine.

The Swabian Gymnastics Association (StB) and the German Turner Association (DTB) have initiated measures to deal with the allegations. A law firm from Frankfurt am Main was used to support, and an independent expert committee of the State Sports Association (LSV) is currently investigating the allegations. The first results of this investigation should be available in July 2025.

new trainers and challenges

for Kevric, the current situation also means that she had to part with her former coaches. Instead, she has new trainers to master this difficult phase. Aimee Boorman, the former trainer of Olympic champion Simone Biles, was hired as a temporary solution for five months, while Laprise Harris-Williams supports her in the upcoming European Championships. Kevric reports on good cooperation with Harris-Williams, but also has its difficulties with the changeover to the new training.

national coach Gerben Wiersma, who also acts as a crisis manager, was intensively concerned with the search for the coach. However, Kevric shows during training and preparing for the home European Championship that it has strong psychological resilience. In the event of the European Championship excretion on May 13th in Berlin, she delivered an impressive performance, even if she waived jump training due to knee problems in podium training in Leipzig. Wiersma described the knee problems as a precaution, and Kevric emphasizes that she feels well prepared overall and is focused on the home European Championship.

a necessary cultural change in sport

The current discussions about abuse in gymnastics are not only an enormous burden for affected athletes, but also raise basic questions about the structures in competitive sports. In its first reviews on the topic, the processing commission found that sexual violence of trainers, supervisors and other responsible persons took place in gyms as well as in changing rooms and during competitions. Strong hierarchies and fatal dependency relationships are widespread in these systems and promote abuse of power, as described on refurbishment commission.de

For a cultural change in sport, it is essential to speak openly about the difficult topics and to create a climate of listening. Affected people often encounter incomprehension and rejection in their clubs, which makes it difficult to deal with their experiences. In order to address these problems, dealing with the past is a decisive prerequisite.