The world of gymnastics frequently dazzles audiences with its grace, precision, and extraordinary displays of athleticism. Yet, beneath the polished routines and polished medals lies a less glamorous reality that few acknowledge. Where the beauty and discipline of the sport are left to portray a luxurious vase, the darker side is silenced, and then there are brave voices that shine a light on it.

An 18-year-old gymnast has shared her experience of gymnastics training and the mental pressure that very few dare to talk about. Stories like this young gymnast’s resonate as they reveal the unspoken struggles, earning her support from fans and the gymnastics community. German gymnast Carina Kroell also supported her and said that she was proud of her. These voices encourage a deeper look into the complexities of sports, pushing for compassion and change in equal measure.

German gymnast had to leave gymnastics at just 18 years

Sometimes a career becomes so exhausting that an athlete has to give up the career when they are at their peak. The same has happened to a German gymnast, Catalina Santos Moran Diaz. She had to give up her career at just 14 years old due to the mental and physical pressure. She has penned down all her thoughts and feelings on her Instagram.

A former gymnast shared a post on Instagram; she confessed, “I gave up many years of my life because that was part of the contract to success. I spent 30-40 hours a week in the hall; I could never attend other children’s birthdays, and I could not participate in class trips either. Very little time left for family and friends but especially for myself.” At such a young age, such hectic schedules are tough to manage, and a child can’t live a normal life. She further wrote about the dependency and health issues she faced during that time, “As a child, I did not yet understand what kind of psychological dependence I had on my trainers.”

The gymnast also said, “I experienced physical and mental abuse and humiliation for years and developed an eating disorder.” The glory behind the victories that others see is not what the reality is, right? Catalina Santos also confessed that “I had to deny myself and obey blindly in order to be “enough.” That’s because to become successful in a career, one does everything it takes, but as a child, you don’t understand what is right or wrong. It takes a toll on a child, and they don’t learn to express their opinions or feelings to anyone.

The German gymnast also had to go through a lot physically, suffering from slipped disc issues, and medication even makes things worse sometimes. Though Catalina admits, “Today I know that all the hurdles only made me stronger.” She is not the only one who had to go through such a rough patch. She is now among three German gymnasts who narrated the dark side of gymnastics. Earlier, Emelie Petz also shared her experience; she said, “My injury has shown me that some people are only interested in me when I am successful.” Fans and the gymnastics community have come forward and supported the gymnasts.

“Proud of you”: Fans and gymnasts supported Catalina Santos

With its elegance and precision, the world of gymnastics often masks the struggles its athletes face behind the spotlight. But things get easier when someone shares their story and gets support from all over. Catalina got support from the gymnast community, as gymnast Emma Malewski commented, “Proud of you and your words! It’s important to talk about this.” Catalin responded, “Thank you! Let’s hope it gets better in the future.” Another German gymnast, Carina Kroell, wrote, “I am proud of you! Very brave to open up like this.” It shows the unity and strength one needs while expressing such feelings.

One fandom commented, “Really powerful words,” as Catalina also showed empathy towards all those who are feeling low and ready to help others as well. One supporter also praised the honesty, saying, “Wow, how honestly and openly you write! You are a very strong one, great.”

Catalina is receiving love from Cambridge, as one fan from Cambridge wrote, “It’s eye-opening what this sport can do despite all the elegance and beautifulness and the grace of you and your fellow gymnasts always naming princesses because of the beauty of the sport, but I see now the dark sides of it too. Thank you. Loads of love and all the best from Cambridge.” Their words underscore a growing awareness of the hidden toll that gymnastics can have on athletes.

One fan expressed her feelings and asked the gymnast to be proud of herself. The comment reads, “Thank you for these incredibly strong and courageous words, Cati! I have no words to describe what you had to go through. You didn’t deserve that. I am so grateful to have met you, and I have always admired you, no matter whether in the hall or at Su Berhslb, also how you enriched so many people and especially how strong you were and never gave up, however hard it must have been for you. You can be proud of yourself.”

Catalina Santos is receiving all the love and heartfelt responses; one fan even compared her with the lion; the comment reads, “Spoken like a lion.” These responses and support remind us of the importance of fostering compassion and unity within the gymnastics community. What are your thoughts about the story of Catalina Santos and the dark side of gymnastics? Do tell us in the comment section.