Some people are just born prodigies. And in the case of one 17-year-old German, her skills on the mat were apparent from day one. In fact, so dazzling have been her performances that the gymnast even ended up snatching gold at the 2022 European Junior Championships. She even doubled down by making a splash at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she landed an impressive eighth in the all-around and sixth on the uneven bars. But right now, she finds herself in a situation far more complicated than any routine she’s ever performed.

Hailing from Stuttgart, Helen Kervic has been a huge reason for German gymnastics fans to be excited. But since late 2024, the world of German women’s gymnastics has been reeling from shocking accusations of “systematic physical and mental abuse” at training centers in Stuttgart and Mannheim. Former and current athletes have come forward, leading to two coaches at Helen’s Stuttgart facility being let go.

Even an independent panel from the State Sports Association is on the case, with their findings expected by July. It’s a chaotic time, and everyone is wondering how these investigations will change the sport for good. Amidst all this turmoil, Kevric‘s voice rings out, clear and firm. “I’m not a victim of abuse or anything else,” she told the German Press Agency after a training session in Leipzig.

You could see the sadness in her eyes as she spoke about losing her coaches, the very people she credits with her Olympic achievements. “I always had a good relationship with my coaches,” she insisted, standing by those who helped her reach such heights. Her loyalty is undeniable, coming straight from the heart. But the dark cloud of allegations still hangs heavy.

Can Kevric‘s truth find a place alongside the painful realities of a sport desperately seeking justice and a fresh start? It’s a tough question, and the answer will shape the future of German gymnastics. The whispers have turned into full-blown investigations. The Baden-Württemberg State Office of Criminal Investigation and Stuttgart prosecutors are looking into claims of coercion.

Meanwhile, the Swabian and German Gymnastics Federations brought in a Frankfurt law firm in January 2025 to dig deeper. Amidst all this mayhem, how is Kevric’s training going?

Kevric Working with New Coaches

Helen Kevric, Germany’s 17-year-old gymnastics star, is adapting to a new coaching team after a turbulent year. The 2022 European Junior All-Around champion and 2024 Paris Olympic standout (eighth in all-around, sixth on uneven bars) is navigating a coaching shakeup following abuse allegations at her Stuttgart training base and the dismissal of her former coaches.

In March 2025, the German Gymnastics Federation (DTB) brought in Aimee Boorman, famed for coaching Simone Biles, as an interim coach. With Boorman in the U.S., American coach LaPrise Harris-Williams has stepped in, guiding Kevric for the past two weeks, including at the European Championships. “It’s going very well so far,” Kevric shared, positive about her new mentors.

However, the transition is tough. Kevric admitted the challenge of “building a new bond with the coach” and adjusting to different methods. “This whole situation was very stressful,” she confessed, expressing longing for her former coaches. Yet, Kevric’s resilience shines as she trains with the same grit that earned her Olympic glory. Can her adaptability propel her to new heights at the European Championships?