Successful comeback at Turn-EM: People come first

Pauline Schäfer-Betz narrowly missed bronze in the uneven bars final at the European Championships in Zagreb, falling just 0.066 points short due to exceeding the time limit by two seconds. The 29-year-old German gymnast, known for her international success, returned to competition after nearly a year away and expressed satisfaction with her performance despite the near miss. She emphasized her enjoyment of competing again and highlighted the positive changes she has witnessed at her training base in Chemnitz. The event marked Schäfer-Betz’s return to international competition following the Paris 2024 Olympics and served as the opening chapter of her ambitious plan to qualify for a fourth Olympic Games. During the German Championships earlier this year, she stated her goal was not only to participate in the Olympics but to reach the finals and potentially win a medal. Her program will be tailored accordingly over the next one and a half years, she added. Schäfer-Betz had joined the training group led by Tatjana Bachmayer and Anatol Aschurkow in Chemnitz last autumn. She described the new environment as highly motivating and confirmed that switching teams was the right decision. It was particularly meaningful for her to see how much progress had been made in Chemnitz since the past years, which had previously faced challenges. She felt proud to witness such positive developments firsthand. Mental well-being plays a crucial role in Schäfer-Betz's approach to gymnastics. She had been among those who publicly exposed the abuse of power by former head coach Gabi Frehse at the Chemnitz women's gymnasium in late 2020. At that time, the situation became unbearable for her, prompting her to switch to the men's team under Kay Uwe Temme. The uneven bars have remained in the men's hall at the Chemnitz Sports Forum ever since. However, several changes have occurred since then, including the arrival of Anatol Aschurkow from Norway and the addition of former head coach Tatjana Bachmayer from Karlsruhe. Schäfer-Betz has always believed in the principle that the athlete’s well-being must come first before achieving sporting success. This philosophy aligns with the approach taken by her current coaches, who focus on the whole person rather than just their athletic performance. Mental aspects play a significant role both within and beyond the gym, according to Schäfer-Betz, who finds this holistic method very beneficial. Following the revelations in Chemnitz, the German Gymnastics Federation launched the “Performance with Respect” initiative and called for a cultural change in women's gymnastics. In 2022, they appointed Gerben Wiersma from the Netherlands as national coach, who pledged his commitment to this transformation. However, Wiersma had faced allegations of misconduct in the Netherlands in 2021, leading to initial skepticism from Schäfer-Betz regarding his appointment. Despite these concerns, she acknowledged the importance of continuing efforts towards fostering a respectful and supportive environment in gymnastics. Schäfer-Betz’s recent performance and comments reflect her ongoing journey through the sport, emphasizing personal growth alongside athletic achievement. Her experience and perspective offer insight into the broader context of reform within gymnastics, highlighting the significance of addressing systemic issues while striving for excellence. Her presence at the European Championships underscores the evolving landscape of competitive gymnastics, where athletes are increasingly prioritizing mental health and ethical practices alongside physical prowess.