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DTB Rejects Personnel Changes as Prosecutors Target Top Gymnastics Officials

An external legal review found the prosecutor’s initiation order did not establish criminal liability for the federation’s leaders.

Overview

  • Stuttgart prosecutors broadened their investigation in late January to include DTB president Alfons Hölzl and sport director Thomas Gutekunst.
  • Authorities say nine current and former functionaries are being investigated on suspicions of intentional bodily harm and coercion by omission in multiple cases, some allegedly attempted.
  • The DTB said law firm Redeker Sellner Dahs reviewed the initiation order and concluded it did not substantiate criminal liability for the named officials.
  • The federation reported it has not yet received access to the case file, has requested it, and plans to respond to prosecutors after review.
  • Separate administrative fine proceedings are pending against the DTB and the regional body STB, following athletes’ reports of systemic physical and mental abuse at training centers in Stuttgart and Mannheim.