Swiss coaches quit amid abuse allegations and poor performance

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ZURICH, September 1 (Reuters) – Coaches of the Swiss Gymnastics Federation’s (STV) women’s team resigned en masse on Wednesday following an ethics investigation that confirmed athletes’ complaints of psychological abuse and after a series of poor performance.

The ethics committee report, which was presented to STV management on August 27 and made public on Wednesday, recommended severing ties with the coaching staff.

“By mutual agreement, it was decided that the current coaching team would relinquish leadership of the training with immediate effect and be relieved of its duties,” the federation said in a statement.

The committee’s investigation revealed violations of the Swiss Olympic Ethics Charter during the period 2016-2019 “and that in particular the mental and physical health of female athletes was not sufficiently protected”.

The STV launched the review in November after two athletes said they faced difficult training conditions and derogatory comments about their eating habits and body weight.

“I am deeply saddened by the investigation report and I apologize on behalf of STV to those concerned for what happened,” said STV director Beatrice Wertli. “The psychological and physical integrity of the athletes is our top priority.”

STV described the resignations as a new start for the women’s team, which – with the exception of star Guilia Steingruber, bronze medalist at the Rio 2016 Olympics – had no realistic chance of qualifying for the Games. Paris 2024 Olympics.

Athletes’ mental health has come under scrutiny following the recent withdrawals of American star gymnast Simone Biles and Japanese tennis champion Naomi Osaka from high profile events. Read more

More and more gymnasts have filed allegations of physical and psychological violence, including hundreds filed with the British Gymnastics Federation.

In July, the US Department of Justice discovered that the FBI had dragged its feet in investigating allegations of sexual abuse against disgraced US gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar. Read more

Reporting by Michael Shields; Editing by Catherine Evans

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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