National Team Coach Accused of Doping in DDR (East Germany) [@widmaier's Name Not Mentioned] - Coach of the German national team discusses performance-enhancing drug use in the GDR (East Germany)
German Gymnastics National Coach Jens Milbradt explicitly acknowledges the prevalence of doping in the former East German (DDR) regime before the start of the European Championships in Leipzig. In an interview with the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Milbradt admitted that while he was an athlete, he suspected that doping was rife within the gymnastics community in the DDR.
Milbradt recalls obligatory drug testing before traveling to capitalist countries, questioning the need for such tests if athletes were clean. He suggests that this practice revealed the existence of a doping culture within the DDR gymnastics scene.
When initially asked about encountering doping during his active career, Milbradt shifted the conversation towards the future of German men's gymnastics. As the head coach, Milbradt assumed his position from Valeri Belenki last November.
Regarding the ongoing abuse scandal in German gymnastics, Milbradt advocates for better communication between gymnasts, coaches, and the German Gymnastics Federation (DTB). He expresses concern that such communication was not possible in the past, stating that internal dialogue would have been a more effective solution than the present circumstances.
Led by former national team athlete Tabea Alt, several former and current gymnasts have spoken out about misconduct in the sport since the end of last year. Milbradt does not believe the sport is unfairly accused, stating that it is legitimate to discuss problems in sports.
In light of the upcoming European Championships in Leipzig, German Gymnastics National Coach Jens Milbradt acknowledges the pervasive doping culture within the former East German gymnastics scene, as he once suspected as an athlete. He recollects mandatory drug testing before traveling to capitalist countries, which he believes pointed to a doping culture within the DDR gymnastics community.
Amid discussion about doping in his past, Milbradt instead focuses on the future of German men's gymnastics and his role as head coach, having taken over from Valeri Belenki last November.
Regarding the ongoing abuse scandal in German gymnastics, Milbradt calls for improved communication between gymnasts, coaches, and the German Gymnastics Federation (DTB). He expresses concern that such communication was not possible in the past and believes that open dialogue would have been a more effective solution.
Noteworthy, former national team athlete Tabea Alt and several other gymnasts have spoken out about misconduct in the sport since last year. Milbradt does not believe the sport is unfairly accused and maintains that it is legitimate to discuss problems within sports.
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