Stuttgart, Feb 7, (dpa/GNA) – German authorities have started an investigation against a former coach of the gymnastics training centre in Stuttgart, and carried out searches in the wake of abuse allegation.
The Stuttgart prosecutor’s office said on Thursday that the probe, is on suspicion of coercion in several cases.
It said several properties were searched and documents seized.
According to dpa information, the offices of the regional Swabian Gymnastics Federation (STB) and the Stuttgart training centre were among the properties searched.
The German Gymnastics Federation (DTB) headquarters in Frankfurt, were reportedly also searched.
The DTB and STB said neither it nor its officials were suspects, and that they welcomed the criminal investigation.
Allegations emerged in December, with former elite gymnasts Tabea Alt and Michelle Timm speaking out about a 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, the DTB and STB have sought external help in their effort to clear up the affair, and DTB has agreed to set up an independent council of experts.
GNA