German Gymnast Helen Kevric Faces European Championships Without a Coach Amidst Coaching Turmoil

German gymnast Helen Kevric is set to compete at the European Championships in Zagreb, but faces a unique challenge: she is currently without a coach. This situation arises after a series of coaching changes and difficulties since the abuse allegations at the Stuttgart Art Gymnastics Center.

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We have a very strong and, above all, experienced team with which we definitely want to reach the team final and finish among the top five teams.

Kevric, who won silver with the German team at the previous European Championships in Leipzig, is making her international comeback after a severe knee injury sustained in May 2025. Despite her personal ambition and the team's goal to reach the team final and finish in the top five, her lack of a dedicated coach sets her apart from her teammates.

The German Gymnastics Federation (DTB) had previously hired Aimee Boorman, former coach to US star Simone Biles, to work with gymnasts in Stuttgart. However, Boorman left the position, citing difficult conditions at the training center amid ongoing abuse allegations. Boorman's compatriot, LaPrise Williams, also failed to stabilize the coaching situation.

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It was difficult from the beginning, we never clicked personally. For my development, I needed a different training approach.

Kevric herself stated that the collaboration with Boorman was difficult and that she needed a different training approach for her development. For the upcoming championships, the coaching duo Tatjana Bachmayer and Anatol Ashurkov, who coach other gymnasts, will provide assistance to Kevric on a temporary basis.

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She started at the time under difficult conditions at the training center, which was and still is in upheaval due to abuse allegations. Despite great effort from all sides, the collaboration in Stuttgart did not work out as desired and would have been necessary.