German athlete and Olympic medalist in platform diving, Jan Hempel, has spoken out regarding being sexually abused by his coach Werner Langer since he was 11 years old. Hempel stated this in the film “Abuse – Sexual Violence in German Swimming”, which was broadcast on ARD on August 18.
According to the athlete, the German Swimming Federation (DSV) ignored all his complaints: “The Federation inspired me that if I told regarding this, our sport would be in danger and I would no longer be able to do it. Of course, I was at the level where I had goals, and I wanted to achieve them “(quote from the publication ESPNwhich drew attention “Kommersant”).
According to Hempel, the violence continued for regarding 14 years. The coach was removed from work in 1997 following a complaint from an athlete. He suggests that the decision was not related to the accusation of sexual assault, but to suspicions of working for the Ministry of State Security of the GDR in the past. After his resignation, Langer worked for the Austrian Swimming Federation, and in 2001 he committed suicide.
Jan Hempel won a silver medal at the 1996 Olympics, was a World Championship medalist twice and a European champion four times.
