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Karla Borger, President of Athletes Germany, calls for the rapid establishment of an independent Center for Safe Sport
Photo:
Raasch / photo booth / IMAGO
The German Olympic Sports Confederation demands a complete clarification of the abuse affair in swimming.
»The descriptions by Jan Hempel and the other victims are shocking.
The documentation shows that the culture of silence must be broken, «said DOSB President Thomas Weikert after a meeting of the Executive Committee on Friday at the sidelines of the European Championships in Munich.
The DOSB, the German Sports Youth and the member organizations expressly welcomed the establishment of a center for safe sports in a position paper last week.
This can and should close gaps in protection in sport and sensibly complement existing measures, the statement said.
Former water jumper Jan Hempel said in an ARD documentary that a trainer had abused him for a period of 14 years.
He informed the top of the association about the events in 1997, but the DSV never dealt with the allegations in substance.
On Thursday evening, the association released national water jump coach Lutz Buschkow, who had been a base coach in Berlin in 1997, from his job.
Hempel accused him of knowing about the abuse and not taking action.
For beach volleyball player Karla Borger, President of Athletes Germany, it will be »highest priority« that an independent center for safe sports is set up.
Hempel's allegations against a long-time coach "shook her," said Borger.
“That disgusts me.” She has “great respect for the courage of those affected”, it is very important “to give the stories a face and to talk about them”.
But "further educational work must be done".
Hempel's former synch pro partner knew
In May, Athletes Germany set up the independent body »Start Against Violence«.
It is intended to serve as a bridging measure until a central body for Safe Sport is set up, in which the well-being of the athletes takes precedence over the interests of associations or decision-makers.
Hempel's former sync partner Heiko Mayer was dismayed at the publication.
“I knew this happened.
But to what an extent – that struck me too,” said the 45-year-old, who won bronze in tower synchronized diving with Hempel at the 2000 Summer Olympics.
"That's incredibly sad and embarrassing."
Hempel inaugurated him.
"As a good and long dubbing partner - we're still friends today - you learned that, of course," he said.
"But he never went into detail with me."
Interior Minister calls for clarification
The case also concerns politicians.
Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD) called on the German Swimming Association to act.
»Sexualised violence is a reality for a shockingly large number of athletes.
The fact that those affected reveal their suffering shows courage.
The German Swimming Association must clarify the allegations, act and support those affected," wrote Faeser, who is also responsible for top-class sport, on Twitter.
The dismissal of water jump national coach Buschkow is met with criticism from some water jumpers.
"You can't put the responsibility on him, that's not fair, he had no decision-making power at all," said former world champion Patrick Hausding.
"As a coach, he was a small part of the system at the moment." Hausding ended his career in May.
At the European Championships in Rome, which is currently taking place, the athletes supported the national coach, despite criticism of Buschkow.
"Of course she couldn't hide the turbulent events," said Tina Punzel the morning after her second gold medal.
Active spokesman Timo Barthel said after synchronous bronze from the tower: "We are a team, if one is missing, that's stupid, of course.
That's why we hope that this will be resolved as soon as possible and that we'll have him back quickly." There was a lot of criticism on social media for these statements.
kjo/dpa/sid
