Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Prosecutors Expand German Gymnastics Abuse Probe to Federation Leadership

The federation cites an internal legal review that found no criminal misconduct by senior officials.

Overview

  • Stuttgart prosecutors are investigating nine current and former officials, including DTB president Alfons Hölzl and sports director Thomas Gutekunst.
  • The cases involve suspicions of attempted intentional bodily harm and coercion by omission in multiple instances.
  • The DTB says a review by law firm Redeker Sellner Dahs cleared Hölzl and Gutekunst of criminal wrongdoing, and the presidency sees no grounds for personnel changes.
  • Ex-Olympian Janine Berger argues meaningful reform will only come through external scrutiny and says many affected athletes are increasingly frustrated.
  • The expanded probe follows late‑2024 disclosures by Tabea Alt and others about systemic abuse at Stuttgart’s training center, after which early 2025 measures removed some trainers from duty.