Regrettable setback for EM aspirant Kevric: Severe knee damage encountered
German Gymnast Sustains Knee Injury in All-Around Final at European Championships
Leipzig — A disappointing turn of events unfolded at the All-Around Final of the European Championships for 17-year-old German gymnast, Helen Kevric. During her vault, Kevric suffered an injury to her patellar tendon, resulting in her being carried out of the arena by national coach Gerben Wiersma and team doctor Rainer Eckhardt [3]. The young athlete was then transported to the hospital for further examination.
Initial diagnoses suggest that Kevric's injury will necessitate a prolonged absence from competitions. Wiersma confirmed the preliminary assessment and stated that she would return to Stuttgart for a more detailed evaluation of her injured knee [3]. A decision on her future course of action will be made following these additional examinations. "I, like everyone else, hope that the injury isn't too severe and that her recovery will be swift," Wiersma stated [3].
With this injury, Kevric's medal aspirations at the home tournament in Leipzig were abruptly ended, and her title fights also ceased. "She will not compete on the uneven bars tomorrow," Wiersma sadly confirmed [3].
Kevric had qualified for the final as the third-best gymnast, entering the tournament with warranted medal expectations. In addition, she was the top qualifier for the final on the uneven bars, offering her the best chance to win the European title on her specialty apparatus. Since 2022, Elisabeth Seitz made history as the last athlete to achieve this feat in Munich [1]. Seitz, age 31, announced her retirement shortly before the All-Around Final and disclosed that she is expecting a child.
Previously dealing with knee issues in Leipzig, Kevric had eschewed acrobatic series during podium training and skipped the vault practice session [2]. While she struggled with her left knee, she employed tape before the start of the competition. However, at the time of the event, Wiersma stated that everything appeared to be in order [2].
Under unusual circumstances, Chemnitz native Karina Schoenmaier surprisingly declined to participate in the All-Around Final, for which she had qualified in eighth place. Schoenmaier chose to withdraw voluntarily in order to focus on the individual finals on Friday (vault) and Saturday (floor) [3]. Janoah Müller (Haßloch) took her place, ending the competition in 20th position with 49.132 points. Manila Esposito from Italy clinched the title for the second consecutive year with 54.965 points [3].
The controversy surrounding German women's gymnastics and especially the experiences faced by Helen Kevric have dominated discussions since the end of last year, stemming from the disclosures of misconduct at the Stuttgart Artistic Gymnastics Forum and Mannheim support point [4]. Several former and active athletes have accused "systematic physical and mental abuse" and deplorable conditions [4]. Coaches have been dismissed as a result, and both the Baden-Württemberg State Criminal Office and the Stuttgart Public Prosecutor's Office are investigating [4]. Allegations of coercion were made in several cases.
Initially coached by Aimee Boormann and LaPrise Harris-Williams at the EM, Kevric is currently under the tutelage of American gymnast Simone Biles. The Swabian Gymnastics Federation (STB) and the German Gymnastics Federation (DTB) are working diligently to address these allegations [4]. An independent expert committee has been established at the state sports association (LSV) to oversee the matter. Further results from this investigation are anticipated in July [4].
In light of Helen Kevric's injury, she might seek a support service to aid her recovery during her prolonged absence from sports. With Kevric's title fights ceased, sports enthusiasts may miss her stellar performance on the uneven bars, an event she was the top qualifier for.
