Furious Gymnastics Legend Backs 24-Year-Old Gymnast Who Exposed Concerning Reality: “Not Normal”

A German artistic gymnast is stepping up, and she’s not just here to make noise; she’s here to change the game. Tabea Alt, a 24-year-old former Olympian, is calling out the abusive practices that nearly broke her during her career. And standing right by her side? 3x Olympic champion Elisabeth Seitz proved that when the system fails, athletes can still stand together. So, what’s really going on here? Let’s rewind and dig into the story.

It all started with whispers about abuse at the Stuttgart Federal Training Center. But things blew up when Tabea Alt dropped a bombshell Instagram post that shook the gymnastics world. “My health was deliberately jeopardized,” she wrote on 29th December. Let that sink in for a second deliberately. Coaches forced her to compete with broken bones, even when doctors told them to stop. And that’s not all. Alt described a culture where eating disorders, humiliation, and threats were just part of the routine.

“Today I know it was systematic physical and mental abuse,” she said. And here’s the kicker: three years ago, she tried to address this privately with the German Gymnastics Federation (DTB). Guess what happened? Nothing. “I thought I had taken a first step towards change. Without having to expose people in public. I had to realize with regret that it was unsuccessful and didn’t lead to anything.”

But Alt’s not alone in this fight. Just days after her revelation, Elisabeth Seitz, the 31-year-old Olympic champion, stepped up to back her. On December 31, Seitz shared a powerful Instagram post, making it clear where she stands. “The statements, accusations, and allegations we’ve read over the past few days are not new to us,” she wrote. “I stand with all athletes who have had the courage to speak out about their experiences.”

Reflecting on her own journey, Seitz admitted that she once thought the mistreatment was just part of the sport. “Today, I can say, ‘This is not normal. Something has to change,’” she declared, calling for accountability and a healthier environment in gymnastics. “Success is only really one if it has been achieved in the right way,” she said, passionately advocating for a future where athletes can thrive—not just survive—in their sport. But others too opened up!

A change in gymnastics needs to happen

A rising star, Meolie Jauch, an 11-time youth champion, dropped her own bombshell. At just 17, she announced her retirement, not because her body couldn’t handle it, but because her mind couldn’t. “The gym, which was my home for so long, is now a place where I no longer feel so comfortable,” Jauch shared. How heartbreaking is that? Both Alt and Jauch have made it clear: the system is broken, and it needs to change. The DTB has promised an investigation.

The German Gymnastics Federation (DTB) and the Stuttgart Gymnastics Federation (STB) are finally launching investigations into these serious allegations. “We take the public debate and the mental health of competitive gymnasts very seriously,” they said, admitting they’ve got concrete evidence of possible misconduct by coaches at the Stuttgart training center. Former gymnast Kim Bui, who’s been vocal about supporting her peers, had a message for the athletes: “You are not alone.” And honestly, that’s exactly what these gymnasts need to hear right now, but here’s the big question: will anything actually change? Or will these brave athletes’ voices be ignored again? Only time will tell!