Serious allegations: Top officers are actually being investigated within the German gymnastics scandal | EUROtoday

The abuse scandal on the Stuttgart Artistic Gymnastics Forum is as soon as once more taking over bigger dimensions and is now reaching the highest of the German Gymnastics Association. As the DTB introduced, the investigations by the Stuttgart public prosecutor’s workplace have been expanded following the intense allegations of abuse and are additionally directed towards the affiliation president Alfons Hölzl and sports activities director Thomas Gutekunst. “The President and the Board of Directors of the DTB have informed the Presidium of this,” mentioned the DTB.

Hölzl expressed shock in his assertion and sees no cause to resign from his place or let it relaxation. “I cannot understand the details that I know so far, neither in terms of the facts of the case nor with regard to a possible breach of duty,” defined Hölzl. “My focus continues to be on carrying out my duties responsibly and without disruption in the interests of the association.”

He agreed to completely cooperate with the investigating authorities. Hölzl emphasised within the message distributed by his lawyer that he, like everybody concerned, was entitled to the presumption of innocence.

The DTB defined that it had instructed its attorneys to shortly look at the data presently obtainable from the Stuttgart public prosecutor’s workplace. “Only on this basis can the DTB decide on how to proceed,” it mentioned. The affiliation identified that the presumption of innocence applies to all accused. “We take the current developments very seriously. The DTB will of course continue to support the Stuttgart public prosecutor’s investigation,” mentioned the assertion.

The Swabian Gymnastics Association can also be affected

The Swabian Gymnastics Association (STB) had beforehand introduced that the investigation had been expanded and was additionally directed towards officers of the regional affiliation. “The officials are accused of not having lived up to their organizational responsibilities,” mentioned the STB assertion.

The affiliation rejected this and likewise emphasised that the presumption of innocence applies till the investigation is accomplished. When requested on Monday night, the Stuttgart public prosecutor’s workplace didn’t initially touch upon the investigation.

The background is that shortly earlier than Christmas 2024, plenty of gymnasts publicly denounced the work on the federal base in Stuttgart. Criticism included “systematic physical and mental abuse” and catastrophic circumstances.

By the start of February 2025, the allegations had turn out to be a matter for the judiciary and investigations had begun. So far, nonetheless, these have solely been directed towards trainers. As a private consequence, the STB relieved trainers of their duties.