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Serious allegations of abuse at the Swiss Gymnastics Federation have further consequences: Managing Director Ruedi Hediger (63) now also resigns!
“The Swiss Gymnastics Federation has come under fire in recent weeks due to various complaints in rhythmic gymnastics and women’s gymnastics. As CEO, I have overall responsibility for this, ”Hediger said.
Despite many cases, he remained in office for a long time.
Since VIEW published several cases in rhythmic gymnastics in June in which Nati’s athletes were allegedly tortured, insulted and intimidated, four top STV executives had to leave: First, RG national coaches Iliana Dineva and Aneliya Stancheva were fired. After other gymnasts unpacked at “Magazin” and “NZZ,” STV’s senior athletic director, Felix Stingelin, was also captured last week. So now Hediger is gone too.
The longtime STV official had been managing director since 2008, prior to that he was senior sports chief. He is responsible for a series of serious cases in which coaches mentally and physically abused young gymnasts. Until now, Hediger had been able to remain in office, despite the abuse cases having been known multiple times.
“I am sorry that under my leadership there were fouls and that the gymnasts suffered as a result. I am so sorry for this. This was never our intention, ”Hediger said Tuesday.
MP Hunziker takes office
Now he wants to clear the way for a new beginning. “In the coming weeks and months, the measures that have already been started and the various measures recently defined in the area of values and ethics will be at the center of the STV’s work and not of staff discussions.” STV CFO Kurt Hunziker, hitherto deputy Hediger, assumes the operational management of the association on an interim basis.
STV leaders also comment on Hediger’s departure. “Ruedi Hediger runs the association with great dedication and passion for world-class, popular sport,” said Central Chairman Erwin Grossenbacher. “In recent years, he has made a significant contribution to the creation of the independent ethics committee and, as managing director, he also ensured that new top-tier sports positions were created to better support athletes.”
Amherd wants an outside investigation
Before Hediger’s departure was announced, the heads of STV and Swiss Olympic had to go to Federal Councilor Viola Amherd (58) at the DDPS. The outcome of the meeting: The independent reporting office (reported BLICK) should definitely come. “There is no way around such a registry office,” says the Sports Minister. In addition, the events are processed externally in an investigation that is controlled by the DDPS.
According to a spokesperson for STV, the VBS investigation has no bearing on the external investigation of the rhythmic gymnastics incidents by a Zurich law firm and the investigation into the allegations against female gymnastics coach Fabien Martin, leading to conducted by the STV ethics committee.
On Tuesday, the heads of STV and Swiss Olympic also had to jog with Federal Councilor Viola Amherd (58) at the DDPS. Funny: according to the information from BLICK, Hediger was still part of the party, only then did the STV communicate the exit. The outcome of the meeting: The independent reporting office (reported BLICK) should definitely come. “There is no way around this reporting point,” says Amherd. In addition, the facts are processed by an external investigation.
