Sports ministry takes steps to tackle abuse of young athletes
Peter Klaunzer/Keystone
Following the Swiss gymnastics abuse scandal that blew up last year, the sports ministry wants tougher action to deal with ethics violations and to better protect young athletes in the future.
Sports Minister Viola Amherd on Tuesday presented a series of measures to tackle the issue of harassment and abusive training methods in sport.
They follow a federal investigation that confirmed cases of psychological and physical abuse of several young female gymnasts, in particular from 2010-2013, at the Swiss Gymnastics Federation’s National Performance Centre at Magglingen, canton Bern. In October 2020, eight young gymnasts had come forward to reveal their stories to the Tages-Anzeiger newspaper.
The sports ministry has presented a long list of changes it wants to implement. They include the creation of a central, independent reporting office for victims of abuse and ethics violations from January 1, 2022. The office will investigate cases and report to a disciplinary commission.
More
More
Swiss gymnastics federation called out for ‘problematic culture’
This content was published on
The world governing body for the sport of gymnastics has blamed the power structure for alleged abuses in Switzerland’s gymnastics federation.
The ministry says it needs to adapt and strengthen rules and legislation in Switzerland to ensure that any breaches of ethical principles are correctly punished. In future, the authorities will also work more closely with sports associations to ensure the existing ethics charter drawn up with Swiss Olympic is properly applied.
According to the results of a survey conducted by a Zurich law firm, Swiss athletes – both male and female and especially minors – are not sufficiently protected, and psychological and physical abuse and negligence occur during training sessions and competitions.
“Existing structures are insufficient with regard to the enforcement of ethical principles,” it said.
Swiss price watchdog slams excessive prices for generic medicines
This content was published on
The cheapest generic medicines available in Switzerland are more than twice as expensive as in other countries, according to a study by the Swiss price watchdog.
Nature should not figure in net zero calculations: academic study
This content was published on
The natural removal of CO2 from the atmosphere by forests or oceans should not be included in the net-zero balance of climate protection measures, argue researchers.
This content was published on
None of the 15 major Swiss retail banks is meeting international climate and biodiversity targets, according to a ranking by WWF Switzerland.
This content was published on
Nestlé's new CEO Laurent Freixe, has presented plans for the future of the world's largest food company, after his first few weeks in office.
Swiss foreign minister calls on Moscow to end Ukraine war
This content was published on
It's high time Moscow ended its war against Ukraine, Swiss foreign minister Ignazio Cassis tells the UN Security Council.
This content was published on
The only alternative to the UN Palestinian agency’s work in Gaza is to allow Israel to run services there, Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA Commissioner-General, told reporters in Geneva on Monday.
Study reveals food culture differences between Switzerland and neighbours
This content was published on
Three-quarters of Swiss people consider eating to be a pleasurable, social activity, a new survey reveals. Healthy eating, however, plays a much less important role, it found.
This content was published on
Trainers for the Swiss Gymnastics Federation’s women’s team have resigned en masse following an ethics investigation into psychological abuse.
Swiss gymnastics federation called out for ‘problematic culture’
This content was published on
The world governing body for the sport of gymnastics has blamed the power structure for alleged abuses in Switzerland’s gymnastics federation.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.