DistantNews
Support us
European Championships in Zagreb: Thumbs up: Kevric and the women's team among Europe's top gymnasts
🇩🇪 Germany /Sports

European Championships in Zagreb: Thumbs up: Kevric and the women's team among Europe's top gymnasts

From Die Zeit · () German

Translated from German, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News From a news agency Outcome reported
  • German gymnast Helen Kevric, 18, won gold at the European Championships in Zagreb, marking a significant achievement after recovering from a knee injury.
  • The German women's artistic gymnastics team secured fourth place in qualifications, ensuring their spot at the World Championships in Rotterdam.
  • Kevric expressed gratitude for her performance and the prize money, while the team's success positions them among Europe's top nations.

Helen Kevric, an 18-year-old German gymnastics prodigy, clinched the gold medal on the uneven bars at the European Championships in Zagreb, triumphing over strong competition.

Great, strong performance. I am a proud head coach.

— Gerben WiersmaBundestrainer (head coach) Gerben Wiersma's reaction to the team's performance at the European Championships.

Her victory is particularly poignant given her recovery from a severe left knee injury sustained last year, which had previously derailed her planned participation at the European Championships in Leipzig. This gold medal marks her first international individual senior title, fulfilling high expectations.

"I am just grateful that I am standing here again, that I was able to repeat my performance and am standing here with the gold medal," Kevric stated, visibly relieved. Beyond the title, she also received 3,000 euros, as prize money is now awarded to the top eight finishers at the European Championships for the first time. She also found the inflatable banana awarded to winners "really cool."

I am just grateful that I am standing here again, that I was able to repeat my performance and am standing here with the gold medal.

— Helen KevricKevric's emotional response after winning the gold medal on the uneven bars.

Bundestrainer Gerben Wiersma lauded the team's performance, calling it "great, strong performance. I am a proud head coach." The German women's team, including Kevric, Karina Schönmaier, Pauline Schäfer-Betz, Silja Stöhr, and Lea Marie Quaas, secured fourth place in the team qualification, guaranteeing their spot at the World Championships in Rotterdam this October. This achievement solidifies the German women's artistic gymnastics program as a top European contender on the path to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

I would actually only like to answer questions about my athletic performance today.

— Helen KevricKevric's response when asked about her coaching situation.

Kevric, however, remained reserved when discussing her coaching situation, stating, "I would actually only like to answer questions about my athletic performance today." Since allegations of abuse at the Stuttgart Artistic Gymnastics Center, she has worked with various coaches without finding a stable arrangement.

But I think the banana is really cool.

— Helen KevricHer reaction to the inflatable banana awarded to the winners.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Die Zeit in German. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog