logo
Former gymnasts criticize DTB over reappraisal of abuse allegations

Former gymnasts criticize DTB over reappraisal of abuse allegations

Yahoo11-02-2025

Former German top gymnasts have criticized the governing body DTB over its way of dealing with abuse allegations at training centres and called for a fully independent investigation in an open letter.
The DTB has asked a Frankfurt law firm three weeks ago to help clear up the accusations centring on the Stuttgart and Mannheim training centres.
But the letter signed by 28 people, including parents, coaches and athletes such as Olympic bronze medallist Sophie Scheder, said that a similar move after accusations against the Chemnitz training centre showed that final results could be influenced by DTB interests.
They want the deal with the law firm to be terminated, and that the DTB has started asking people to submit their contact data to the company.
"We are very concerned that the German Gymnastics Federation wants to create facts and pre-empt a possible independent investigation," the letter said.
In the letter also addressed to the ministry overseeing sports in the state of Baden-Württemberg and its regional sports umbrella organizations, they call for a fully independent probe.
It called on the ministry to ensure "that no investigation commissioned by the German Gymnastics Federation is carried out to clarify past facts under the financial shadow of the German Gymnastics Federation."
The DTB told dpa it would comment on the open letter on Friday.
Allegations emerged in December, with former elite gymnasts Tabea Alt and Michelle Timm speaking out about the Stuttgart training centre, detailing what they saw as "systematic physical and mental abuse" and "catastrophic conditions."
Others have followed and the affair has spread to the Mannheim training centre through accusations of authoritarian training methods.
Two Stuttgart coaches have been suspended, and a former Stuttgart coach is under investigation on suspicion of coercion in several cases, with police conducting searches on Thursday.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Liverpool Welcomes New Maestro in Mega Transfer Move
Liverpool Welcomes New Maestro in Mega Transfer Move

Yahoo

time8 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Liverpool Welcomes New Maestro in Mega Transfer Move

Liverpool Welcomes New Maestro in Mega Transfer Move originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Liverpool's transfer move for Bayer Leverkusen playmaker Florian Wirtz is complete, with the clubs agreeing to a package of nearly €150m. Advertisement Wirtz, 22, made his debut for Leverkusen at 17 years old and has scored 57 goals in 197 games. He agreed to personal terms about two weeks ago, making him set for his medical and contract signing as each side came to a full agreement. The deal is now the largest transfer in Liverpool history, smashing Virgil Van Dijk's fee of £75m. The young German star is a dynamic attacking midfielder, bringing fabulous creativity to Liverpool's attack. He has a unique ability to find space between the lines with exceptional accuracy when passing the ball. Wirt'z versatility is evident. He can play as a No. 10, false nine, or winger and his work rate is awesome. He's constantly pressing the opposition and looking to create opportunities with his dribbling skills, adding a new dimension to Arne Slot's squad. Advertisement The fee makes him just the 10th player ever to go for £100m or more. It makes him the largest transfer in Premier League history, eclipsing Chelsea's record signing of £115m in 2023 for Moises Caicedo. Wirtz became a crucial piece for Germany during last year's Euros when he became the youngest ever to score for the national team at 21 years and 42 days. The previous record was held by Kai Havertz. Before joining Leverkusen's senior team, Wirtz showcased and developed his skills at 1. FC Köln's youth academy from 2010 to 2020. His rapid rise saw him debut for Leverkusen as a teenager, where he also broke a previous record held by Havertz, becoming the youngest Bundesliga player ever. Advertisement Wirtz's arrival at Liverpool marks an exciting new era for the Reds' attacking aspirations given his international background and quick ascension. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 11, 2025, where it first appeared.

Fox News Sports Huddle Newsletter: Simone Biles, Riley Gaines debate trans athletes after softball controversy
Fox News Sports Huddle Newsletter: Simone Biles, Riley Gaines debate trans athletes after softball controversy

Fox News

time9 minutes ago

  • Fox News

Fox News Sports Huddle Newsletter: Simone Biles, Riley Gaines debate trans athletes after softball controversy

PERSONAL ATTACK – Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles took aim at OutKick host and former NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines over her criticism of a Minnesota softball state championship. The two sparred over the debate surrounding trans athletes in girls' and women's sports, with Biles making a personal attack on Gaines' appearance. Continue reading… APOLOGY ACCEPTED – American gymnast Simone Biles issued an apology to "Gaines for Girls" host Riley Gaines days after she body-shamed the former University of Kentucky swimmer in a debate over the inclusion of trans athletes in women's sports. Gaines invited Biles to join "the fight to support fair sports." Continue reading… UNDER REVIEW – USA Gymnastics (USAG) has removed pages from its website regarding its transgender eligibility policies and resources, telling Fox News Digital that the decision was made last month "to assess compliance with the current legal landscape." Continue reading… CONTESTED CHAMPS – A Minnesota high school softball team was named state champions on Friday after Marissa Rothenberger, a transgender player on the Champlin Park Rebels, pitched a complete-game shutout. Continue reading… ACCOUNTABILITY – The White House addressed the Champlin Park Rebels' state championship win over the weekend, noting that any state that violates President Donald Trump's "Keeping Men Out of Women's Sports" executive order "will be held accountable." Continue reading… BITTERSWEET – New York Yankees legend Alex Rodriguez lamented Pete Rose's potential of being inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2028, telling Fox News Digital that he wished it had happened during Rose's lifetime. Continue reading… NEWLYWED – Not long after revealing his intentions for the upcoming football season, newly signed Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers shared that he recently tied the knot. Continue reading… MARKETING OPPORTUNITY – UNC football coach Bill Belichick used questions about his personal life during a press conference this week to plug his new book as a potential Father's Day gift. Continue reading… COUNTDOWN BEGINS – With exactly one year away from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Team USA legend Landon Donovan believes the pressure is on for the Americans as the host nation of next year's tournament. He also believes it's a good opportunity for soccer in the U.S. Continue reading… WATCH NOW – FOX Sports' Colin Cowherd discusses the expectations for Aaron Rodgers in Pittsburgh and why the veteran quarterback said signing with the Steelers was "good for his soul". Continue reading… FROM FOX SPORTS – New England Patriots receiver Stefon Diggs spoke to reporters for the first time since his controversial boat outing on Tuesday, but he declined to share the specifics of the talks he's had with the team and coach Mike Vrabel. Continue reading… Fox News FirstFox News Opinion ' Fox News FirstFox News Opinion

LPGA Hall of Famer calls for more to speak out against trans athletes in girls sports
LPGA Hall of Famer calls for more to speak out against trans athletes in girls sports

USA Today

time30 minutes ago

  • USA Today

LPGA Hall of Famer calls for more to speak out against trans athletes in girls sports

LPGA Hall of Famer calls for more to speak out against trans athletes in girls sports Betsy King grew up on 30 acres of land in Reading, Pennsylvania, where she honed a golf swing that would eventually land her in the LPGA and World Golf halls of fame. But golf wasn't her only passion. When older brother Lee left the house, mom often said, 'Take your sister.' And that's how King wound up playing baseball, basketball, hockey and, in elementary school, and tackle football with the neighborhood boys. Those memories come flooding back when King, a six-time major winner, sees biological males competing against females across the country. 'You know, when I was playing with the boys,' said King, 'I mean, it definitely helped my competitiveness to play then against other girls. But I was just trying to play well enough that that they would let me play. Obviously, even at that age, there was a physical difference.' Last week, Olympic gymnast Simone Biles made headlines when she called NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines a 'bully' and 'sore loser' for her criticism of biological boys competing in women's sports – in this particular instance, a high school state championship. Four days later, Biles apologized for her comments. 'In my mind, all I could think about is if a transgender woman started competing in what she (Biles) does, I think they could dominate,' said King, 'without a doubt.' Last December, the LPGA and U.S. Golf Association announced changes to their transgender policies that prohibit athletes who have experienced male puberty from competing in women's events. The move came as transgender golfer Hailey Davidson earned status on the LPGA's developmental Epson Tour. Sources say only a handful of LPGA players were in favor of allowing transgender athletes to compete. Even so, for King, the fight is far from over. Now she'd like to see a federal law put into place that would restrict the participation of biological males in female sports. In February, President Donald Trump signed an executive order that called on the government to "rescind all funds from educational programs that deprive women and girls of fair athletic opportunities." But that hasn't kept it from happening at high school competitions across the country. President Trump said last week that California would face large-scale fines after a transgender athlete won two medals in the state's track and field championship. 'I just feel badly for the high school girls that have to face it,' said King. 'You know, I've seen a couple of them on TV talking about it. And it really bothers me that the adults haven't stood up for these girls as much as they should.' As for the LPGA's new policy, King would like to see the tour return to a female-at-birth mandate, calling the trend of childhood transitions frightening. "I don't know that at 7 years old, if you really know what you are, who you are, or know what you want to do, to make a decision that will impact you the rest of your life," said King. "We don't listen to many 7-year-olds about a lot of things, right? That you would decide to listen to them about this is kind of frightening." A New York Times/Ipsos survey released in January 2025 found that 79 percent of Americans polled were against allowing biological males who identify as women to participate in women's sports. And yet, so few Hall of Fame-caliber female athletes have come out publicly against it. King, 69, posts frequently about the topic on social media and was especially disheartened recently when, during a floor debate on the Save Women's Sports Act, Pennsylvania state senator Lindsey Williams said, 'I want all girls to know that there are elected officials like me who believe female bodies are just as strong and fast and capable as male bodies.' King said she found Williams' comments to be ridiculous and went searching to confirm they weren't a parody. Five years ago, tennis icon Billie Jean King joined World Cup champion Megan Rapinoe, the WNBA's Candace Parker and nearly 200 athletes in supporting transgender youth participation in sports as part of a response to Idaho legislation that banned trans girls from competing in schools. 'There is no place in any sport for discrimination of any kind,' Billie Jean King said in a Women's Sports Foundation release. 'I'm proud to support all transgender athletes who simply want the access and opportunity to compete in the sport they love. The global athletic community grows stronger when we welcome and champion all athletes – including LGBTQI+ athletes.' Another tennis icon, Martina Navratilova, however, sees it differently than Billie Jean and has been vocal about the subject for years. She's one of the few decorated female athletes to do so. Growing up, Betsy King didn't have the same opportunities as her brother to play organized sports. As a three-sport athlete at Furman, King recalled going to the president's office each year with other female athletes to ask for more money. Female athletes stood up more back then, she noted, out of necessity. Some in King's circle and beyond have commented that there are more pressing issues currently facing the country. Her response: It's possible to be concerned about more than one subject. For example, in September, she'll head back to Africa for the umpteenth time (26th or 27th, she's not sure) to check in on some schools her Arizona church funds in Tanzania. After winning 34 times on the LPGA, King launched her Golf Fore Africa foundation in 2007 and raised roughly $20 million for World Vision, enough to fund 400 wells, at least 50 mechanized water systems and eight maternity wings for local hospitals. Though her work with the foundation has come to an end, she's finding more ways to use her platform. 'You know, I have nothing to lose,' said King on the divisive gender topic. 'I don't have any sponsorships at this stage. I've always been kind of outspoken and strong about values that I think even if I were playing, I would speak up.' Her mother, Helen Szymkowicz King, graduated from the University of Rhode Island in 1940 and was elected into the university's Athletic Hall of Fame as a three-sport athlete. King looks at how much the landscape has changed for women's sports in recent decades and views the transgender debate as a step backward. 'Many of us fought for places to compete when none existed,' King said. 'We cannot surrender our sports or our spaces.' Put another way by one of golf's most decorated American players: It's simply not fair.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store