German gymnastics body VP steps down amid abuse scandal

German Gymnastics Federation (DTB) vice president Ulla Koch is stepping down amid the investigation into an abuse affair in the sport, the federation said in a statement, reported dpa.

The 69-year-old had already temporarily stepped away in January in the wake of a series of allegations of abuse in German gymnastics "so as not to jeopardize the investigation and processing of the incidents," she was quoted in the statement.

"After careful consideration and to prevent the areas for which I was responsible as vice president from having to continue to be shaped by proxy as a result of this leave, I would like to step down from my position," she said.

Koch was DTB vice president since November 2021. Before that, she was women's gymnastics team coach from March 2005 to September 2021.

Allegations of abuse in the sport have emerged since late December 2024, led by former elite gymnasts Tabea Alt and Michelle Timm, who have spoken about issues at the Stuttgart training centre, including "systematic physical and mental abuse."

There have also been allegations of harsh and authoritarian training methods at the training centre in Mannheim.

Coaches have been suspended and police is also investigating.