When one decides to become an athlete, they put a lot at stake. Primarily, their mental and physical well-being. In gymnastics especially, we know the risks that come with these leaps and tumbles that look oh-so-perfect to the eye. But what happens when the gymnasts do not get adequate support to maneuver through their careers?

Well, some speak up; some don’t. Although, recently, a couple of German gymnasts have been following the former route. They have been resorting to social media confessions, which is unfortunately unveiling a troubling pattern about the sport. And now, as a 24-year-old gymnast joins that club, her bold words portray the toll the situation has taken on her.

Gymnast Tabea Alt narrates her dark experiences

Tabea Alt started gymnastics when she was merely five. That’s how passionate she was! But the current order of things appears to have left her questioning the sport. She took to her Instagram recently and gave a public statement, calling out the ways of German women’s gymnastics in general.

As per Google Translate, she wrote, “‘You are not what was done to you!’ For a long time, I hesitated to speak out publicly about the grievances in Stuttgart, but also in German women’s gymnastics in general.” That’s because the idea of resolving these concerns internally felt safer to her. But, Tabea Alt has come to realize, it’s time she broke her silence.

This led her to a startling confession that goes, “THREE years ago I wrote a detailed letter to my home trainers, the national coach, the DTB president, the team doctor and other responsible people. In it I clearly identified and made known the grievances here in Stuttgart and in German women’s gymnastics in general using my example.” She even claims to have made suggestions for solutions! Why so?

Well, Tabea Alt’s purpose behind this was bigger than solving her own issues. She wanted to protect the young talent from repeating the mistakes she made. In her mind, it felt like, “I thought I had taken a first step towards change. Without having to embarrass people in public.” But in reality, there had been no fruitful outcome. Tabea Alt confessed, “I regretfully realized that it was unsuccessful and led to nothing. It was ignored or simply not taken seriously. “

Alt also exposed German gymnastics by voicing that in all these years, her health had been put on the line in deliberate ways like disregarding medical instructions or allowing her to show up on the mat despite several fractures. But she has now understood, “It is not an isolated case: eating disorders, punishment training, painkillers, threats and humiliation were the order of the day. Today I know it was systematic physical and mental ab—e.”

Thus, for the sake of the sport and the youth in it, she has called for stern action to be taken. “This system must change in order to develop further.” Well, Alt hails from a strong gymnastics background. She finished sixth in the team event at the Rio Olympics and has two elements, “The Alt” and “The Alt 2” named after her in the code of points for the uneven bars by the International Gymnastics Federation. Therefore, it’s quite serious and harrowing that a gymnast of her stature has experienced these issues. However, from what it has appeared, she isn’t alone.

German gymnastics under the radar

This week, admissions regarding the reality of German gymnastics have poured in. 18-year-old Catalina Santos made a similar Instagram post a few days back and said how she was extremely dependent on her coaches, which made her go through intense mental and physical damage. She developed an eating disorder and at 14 was under such severe pressure that she had to quit the sport. Well, can we say that at times the coaches get so focused on winning competitions that the athlete’s well-being gets disregarded? Possibly.

Well, in German gymnastics, it has become quite common for elite gymnasts to quit the sport early. Say, Amelie Pfeil, who recently answered this question said, “Most of the time I say ‘my back was not cooperating anymore.’ But that’s only half the truth.” And the other half is the same darkness that’s blurring the sport. She confesses that her boundaries and complaints weren’t taken seriously. And when she needed support, all she could find around was pressure. Did she want to be in an environment where every day is a battle for survival? Well, no.

Agreeing with Amelie’s words, elite gymnast Emma Malewski commented, “Very strong and true words!!” Clearly, a pattern is evident here but why isn’t German gymnastics doing anything about it? What do you think? Let us know below!