German Gymnast Janine Berger Exposes Systemic Abuse in Elite Training

The Olympian details years of physical and psychological mistreatment, calling for structural reforms to protect young athletes.

Janine Berger, a 2012 Olympic gymnast, has publicly criticized the German Turner-Bund (DTB) for systemic abuse and neglect in elite gymnastics training.
She revealed instances of coercion, including being forced to train through severe injuries and enduring psychological manipulation to suppress complaints.
Berger described a toxic culture where athletes were subjected to extreme weight monitoring, leading to eating disorders and long-term mental health struggles.
Multiple gymnasts, including Berger, have called for accountability and independent oversight to address the systemic failures in athlete protection.
The DTB has acknowledged past misconduct and announced investigations, temporarily suspending two coaches, but questions remain about the sincerity of promised reforms.