The German gymnastics community is engulfed in turmoil after former athletes have come forward with serious allegations of systemic abuse and mistreatment within the sport. Influential gymnasts, including Lara Hinsberger and Janine Berger, have shed light on their harrowing experiences, calling for urgent reforms to protect future generations of athletes.
Twenty-year-old Hinsberger first ignited the conversation through her Instagram account, stating she felt "treated like an object" during her training at the national training center in Stuttgart. Her post, detailing the psychological and physical toll of her training, claimed, "I was used until I was physically and mentally broken," highlighting the dire conditions faced by many athletes at the center.
These revelations have prompted others to join the discussion. Tabea Alt and Michelle Timm have also spoken out about the abuses they witnessed and endured, unearthing troubling practices and pushing for comprehensive changes within German gymnastics. Hinsberger noted the importance of addressing the entire system, not just isolated incidents, stating, "My experiences were at Stuttgart, but it’s important for the whole system to change." The athletes are calling for accountability and acknowledgement of the psychological pressures they faced.
The Deutsche Turner-Bund (DTB), Germany’s governing body for gymnastics, has responded to the mounting accusations by announcing investigations and implementing immediate measures to address the concerns raised. Their response includes personnel changes within the organization as well as promises for thorough reassessments of their training methods. A spokesperson for the DTB emphasized the commitment to ensuring all perspectives are heard, saying, "Whether we failed to communicate the measures sufficiently, or whether the gymnasts perceived them incorrectly or inadequately, will be revealed by the review process."
Meanwhile, the controversy surrounding coach Gerben Wiersma adds another layer of complexity to the situation. Having been previously convicted of abuse-related charges in his native Netherlands, his appointment to lead training sessions at Stuttgart has drawn sharp criticism. Former gymnast Janine Berger voiced her concern, stating, "It’s contradictory to aim for structural change when hiring someone with such troubling past accusations," highlighting the skepticism felt by those within the gymnastics community.
Berger, who has been vocal about her own struggles with eating disorders and mental health issues stemming from her time as a competitive gymnast, shared her perspective on the broader issues at play. "We were trained to ignore pain," she told the Augsburger Allgemeine, emphasizing the culture of silence and fear surrounding the sport. Although she has been working through her trauma, she called for action against the glaring systemic issues, asserting, "It breaks my heart to see so many talents continue to be harmed mentally and physically."
Kim Janas, another former gymnast, described how weight management was prioritized over health during her career. On her Instagram, she recounted experiences of daily weigh-ins and inspections, where she felt body shamed and faced scrutiny for injuries. Janas articulated her enduring struggle, noting, "Even eight years later, I’m not completely healed from my experiences, but I’ve found ways to cope with them."
The sentiment of change is echoed across many voices within the gymnastics community, with Elisabeth Seitz—one of Germany’s most decorated gymnasts—calling for urgent reform. "Mistakes must be corrected, and those responsible need to be held accountable," she stressed, advocating for institutional accountability and improvement.
Despite the DTB's promises of reform, many within the gymnastics community remain cautious. Past statements of commitment have often fallen short, leading gymnasts like Berger to question the true commitment of the DTB. "It’s not enough to develop concepts on paper and communicate slogans like ‘happy healthy athletes’—action must follow," she urged, imploring the governing body to genuinely undertake the necessary structural changes to prevent future abuse.
The echoes of pain and resilience resonate as this situation continues to develop. Athletes who have sacrificed so much, both physically and emotionally, are now reclaiming their narratives and demanding dignity and respect within their sport. With the world watching, the German gymnastics community stands at a crossroads, faced with the challenge of implementing real and lasting change. The collective call for reform is not just about the past; it’s about ensuring success for the athletes of tomorrow. The gymnastics world hopes these voices will not only echo the struggles faced but also inspire meaningful transformation within the sport.