Scandal in competitive sports: DTB president warns of further abuse cases

Scandal in competitive sports: DTB president warns of further abuse cases

The allegations of abuse against the German Turner Bund (DTB) throw a dark shadow on German competitive sports. On February 9, 2025, DTB President Alfons Hölzl said that the organization was not company blind and that further abuse cases cannot be excluded. The turbulent situation has been able to worsen since the end of December when numerous former gymnasts reported on serious grievances in the gymnastics centers Stuttgart and Mannheim.

Authoritarian training methods that are described as systematic physical and mental abuse are particularly emphasized. Elisabeth Seitz, who trained at the Mannheim base until 2015, and Michelle Timm, a former gymnastics colleague, reported "catastrophic circumstances" and shocking practices in the training centers.

reactions and investigations

As part of these allegations, two trainers at the Kunst-Turn-Forum Stuttgart were released until further notice. Ex-national coach Ulla Koch also saw her office temporarily put down as Vice President. Hölzl announced that personal consequences will follow in the event of proven misconduct. The Stuttgart public prosecutor has already initiated an investigation into a former coach of the Stuttgart Art Gymnastics Forum for coercion, which led to searches in several objects, including the office of the Swabian Gymnastics Association.

former top gymnast Tabea Alt, who had already pointed out grievances in a letter to various responsible in a letter three years ago, recently used Instagram to make the serious problems in the coaching team again. She reported eating disorders, criminal training and the use of painkillers that were the order of the day. Timm supports old and emphasizes that there are massive problems in the coach team in the female area. These developments are particularly worrying because they make it clear that the DTB has concrete information on the misconduct of coaches.

support and further steps

The DTB has supported the authorities examinations and plans to commission a law firm from Frankfurt am Main with the investigation of the allegations. In addition to the systematic review of the grievances, an independent, interdisciplinary expert council is formed. This should deal with the clarification of possible errors within the competitive sports system, especially when dealing with information on regular misconduct. The DTB tries to restore trust and to develop adequate measures to support its athletes.

experts warn that prevention in competitive sport requires understanding and support from everyone involved. It is important to focus on athletes so that you can practice your sport with joy and perseverance. The balance between hardness and care, as well as responsibility and transparency in the training structures is crucial to prevent violence and abuse. The DTB could play a pioneering role, should it seriously implement the necessary changes to offer the athletes a safe and supportive environment.

In the current debate about allegations of abuse in competitive sports, it becomes clear that not only the DTB, but also other associations are required to develop clear concepts for mental health, ethics, child protection and the responsible use of border violations. The tragedy that develops around the athletes is not just an indication of individual misconduct, but also to systematic problems that urgently need to be addressed.

For further information on the allegations and the planned measures of the DTB, we refer to the articles of and sueddeutsche.de .

Additional information on the topic of violence and abuse in competitive sports offer the comprehensive analyzes on hogrefe.com .