Several figure skaters criticize a well-credited trainer in one of Sweden's leading figure skating associations. Dagens Nyheter has spoken to several riders, who claim that the person should have exposed them to weight, swelling and harmful exercise.
SVT Sports's long-time expert Lotta Falkenbäck is one of everyone who has followed in the reporting.
- I think it's incredibly boring. Now it's an investigation in progress, and you really have to go to the bottom with what has happened, and hear all the pages. Then I hope something good comes of this, she says, and continues:
- Sometimes these crises are needed for something good to come. Unfortunately.
Falkenbäck believes that one should rethink Swedish figure skating.
"Must rethink"- We really have to work in a different way, I think. You have to rethink. And the union has started a new job, and is looking at what can be done to reduce the damage at a young age.
How do you mean that you have to work in a different way?
- Society is different today. You have to look at the education. I myself think that you have to work more with coach teams in the clubs, so you can check things out. And I think we need to strengthen our associations, the board and how to work.
"Important to be educated"Peter Nordahl, chairman of the Stockholm Figure Skating Association, tells DN that the case in question is good at the tip of an iceberg. But Lotta Falkenbäck does not believe that the problems with weight and the like are a common problem in Swedish figure skating.
- I would not say that it is common. We have so many associations from Kiruna in the north to Trelleborg in the south where they do a fantastic job for children and young people with a positive training environment, she says, and continues:
- Then it will be safe. It's that kind of sport, too. Therefore, it is important that you train, that you have help in these parts of an association and as a coach. This with good food for children and young people who exercise a lot.