The Chemnitz gymnastics trainer Gabriele Frehse defends herself against allegations from former athletes. They include the balance beam world champion from 2017, Pauline Schäfer. The gymnasts had accused Frehse of harassing her in training, of administering medication without a doctor’s prescription and of not allowing any objection. In interviews with the Central German broadcasting and the Saxon Newspaper said the 62-year-old, there were many baseless allegations and untruths. The Chemnitz Olympic Training Center has since confirmed that Frehse has been released from work until the facts have been clarified by an independent commission in consultation with the German Gymnastics Federation. Frehse emphasized in the interviews that one has to torment oneself in competitive sports, sometimes that one has to use a harsher word from time to time. “At no point did I intend to hurt gymnasts with my tone,” said Frehse.
© SZ vom 05.12.2020 / dpa
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