With the appointment of former coach Biles, the gymnastics association hopes for calm in the direction of Tokyo

With the announcement that Vincent Wevers, Wolther Kooistra and Nico Zijp will not give access to the Olympic Games, KNGU hope to create calm around the Dutch gymnastics team 105 days before the start of Tokyo 2020.

He had been in the eye of a hurricane for ten months, after a slew of accusations of unacceptable behavior against Dutch coaches.

Two abuse investigations

The first storm erupted in the summer of 2020, when former coach Gerrit Beltman admitted to having crossed the line for years. This admission was followed by a series of allegations against a total of 150 Dutch gymnastics coaches. As many as 234 victims have reported abuse in recent months that is believed to have occurred over the past 35 years.

Marjan Olfers, professor of law and sport at VU Amsterdam, has launched a major scientific investigation into abuse in gymnastics. The House of Representatives also discussed the matter. The Institute for Sports Judges (ISR) has also opened an investigation, the results of which are expected shortly.

In anticipation of the results, women’s federation coach Gerben Wiersma tendered his resignation from KNGU last month. On the eve of the fight for the European title in Basel and in view of the Olympic gymnastics tournament, the Frisian gave reasons for his “professional and professional” leave.

See Wiersma’s explanation of leaving the gymnastics association below: