International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach expects consequences amid a series of allegations of abuse in German gymnastics.

“We now hope that there will be movement, and that there will be a change in awareness,” he told dpa in an interview.

The IOC is following the developments in the case, he added.

“I think it’s very correct that this is now being made transparent,” he said.

Allegations have emerged since late December – led by former elite gymnasts Tabea Alt and Michelle Timm – who have reported issues at the Stuttgart training centre, including “systematic physical and mental abuse.”

Bach recalled that former German gymnast Kim Bui, who was elected to the IOC’s athletes’ commission last year, also reported similar experiences in her autobiography “45 Seconds”.

“Only when we speak about them openly, can they be addressed,” he said.

Bach, however, stressed that the events should be assessed “in the context of their time,” and consequences drawn accordingly.

“What I experienced as an athlete in terms of training methods or statements would no longer be possible today, and would no longer be appropriate or accepted,” said Bach.

The events described by the German gymnasts took place several years ago. Following the athletes’ revelations, the German Gymnastics Federation started an investigation. Two coaches were temporarily suspended in Stuttgart. -Nampa/AFP