Let’s go back to a few days ago when the veil was lifted off gymnastics and what was seen was far from the pretty gymnastic performances. A sport that requires not only precision but also lots of spirit is supposed to be backed by a system that encourages its athletes. However, what becomes of that system when it collapses? While some athletes stay silent, a growing wave of German gymnasts is using social media to pull back the glittery façade. One of them is Three days ago, Tabea Alt, a 24-year-old, joined the movement and decided to share her story.

Tabea, who first developed an interest in gymnastics at the age of five, took to Instagram to speak out. She discussed how, three years ago, she penned an open letter that accused the Stuttgart and German women’s gymnastics of having inherent issues. Her plea was more than a cry for help; it was a blueprint for change. Tabea’s revelations painted a grim picture—ignored injuries, dismissed medical advice, and a culture fueled by threats and humiliation. What’s worse, she confessed, was the fact that she discovered that such occurrences were not one-off cases but a systematic affair. And now, yet another star from the world of German gymnastics has joined this growing chorus.

Another gymnastics star opens up on similar issues

On December 30, Elisabeth Seitz took to Instagram to share her powerful truth, adding her voice to the growing chorus of German gymnasts calling for change. Her caption began with a stark acknowledgment: “Unfortunately, we do not hear the statements, accusations and accusations that we have had to read in recent days.” She stood firmly with the athletes who have bravely come forward, saying, “I stand with all athletes who have had the courage to go public with their experiences!”

Seitz made her message clear: “Gymnastics is my sport, my great passion. And that’s exactly what I want to convey to many people.” Reflecting on the current state of German women’s gymnastics, she declared, “This is not normal. Something has to change to finally create a healthy environment for everyone.” Her most poignant words spoke volumes about the essence of success: “Success is only really one if it has been achieved in the right way.”

And guess what? Just earlier this month, another gymnastics prodigy felt it was time to retire at 21 years of age, fighting these issues. Emelie Petz spoke about her struggles and said, “My injury has shown me that some people are only interested in me when I am successful.” However, it doesn’t stop here; while Elisabeth and Tabea have come out to speak, some have decided to take a step back. There is another brave person who has told her story, adding even more depth to their shared experiences.

Another star battles the same concern!

Gymnastics, as a sport, is often built on the foundation of young athletes starting their journey at a tender age. Think about legends like Nadia Comaneci, who was just 14 when she won her first Olympic medal, or Dominique Moceanu, who claimed hers at 15. At first glance, it is this wonderful, mythical image of youth and victory. However, beneath that, challenges come in, especially when young geniuses rely most on their trainers. In some such instances, the coaches get inclined by competition, and they do not care about the health of the gymnasts, and it affects these young athletes.

Such confessions have been on the rise lately, and it does not look like they will come to a halt any time soon. About five days ago, a German former junior gymnast shared her story where she described what she had to endure in training. Catalina Santos, posting on Instagram, described the past when she spent several hours of the week on gymnastics training, leaving no time for anything or anyone else. The gymnast said that she used to think that all of this was necessary to succeed in the sport at that time.

However, once Santos retired from gymnastics, the gymnast began to comprehend that a lot of things that were done to her should not have occurred. “At that time, I didn’t feel ready to say anything, and the wounds ran so deep that I couldn’t either. For a long time, I believed that I’d just give up because I was too weak. Today I know that all the hurdles have only made me stronger. With this post, I want to help everyone going through a difficult time find their own strength. Thank you so much for the support of everyone who has been with me on my journey!❤️.” So, as these gymnasts continue to share their experiences and some even step away from the mat, what’s your take on it? Let us know in the comments down below.