Olympic diving champion and RT journalist Yelena Vaytsekhovskaya says Games medalist Jan Hempel’s accusations against the long-deceased coach seem strange.
Former German diver and Olympic medalist Jan Hempel has revealed he was sexually abused by his trainer for 14 years.
The confessions of Hempel, 51, sounded in a documentary film by the German television channel ARD. From the age of 11, he says, he was sexually abused by his trainer Werner Langer for a total of 14 years. Langer committed suicide in 2001.
Hempel was one of the most talented jumpers in Europe, if not the most talented. He started competing very early and was an iconic name in diving This high-profile recognition of a major personality is presented in the context of the beginning of the work of an anti-violence organization, and it does not make me feel the sincerity of what is happening.
In Europe, the history of psychological help is quite developed, and I may be an old-fashioned person, but I think that if the problem is so deep in someone, you have to go to a specialist, and no to the media.
The fact that surprised me is that it appears from the material that he was sexually abused for 14 years … I have no idea that an athlete at a very adult age endured everything that, supported it, kept it for him.
I don’t want to say that this information is not true, but it seems extremely strange.
Perhaps this is just the next story-investigation after high-profile cases in gymnastics and other sports…
It always sets off a chain reaction. But, unfortunately, we live in a time when nothing needs proof, suffice it to say. And, to be honest, I am devastated by the situation where such serious accusations are directed against a person who has not been alive for more than twenty years,” Vaitsekhovskaya told .
Hempel won a silver medal at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta and a bronze medal at the 2000 Games in Sydney.
Source : MatchTV
