A Vaudois gymnastics club innovates to prevent violence in sport – rts.ch

Giving the floor to young gymnasts: this is the challenge that Lausanne-Bourgeoise gymnastics was launched, in collaboration with Terre des Men Lausanne. An unprecedented pilot project was born, with the aim of better protecting children and adolescents in the sports environment.

The system takes the form of regular meetings between athletes aged 10 to 14 and Ségolène Léchot, child protection expert in Terre des Men. To promote free and sincere exchanges, everything is done to create a climate of confidence: only an hour meetings, every two weeks, in a neutral and comfortable setting. The discussions are held around a snack, in the strictest anonymity.

Two participants, who train together several times a week, share their experience at the microphone of the morning. They evoke positive aspects, but also problematic situations that they would like to see evolve. “Favoritism, derogatory remarks, sarcasm forms, reflections on weight … Whether on the part of parents, those around them or coaches,” they enumerated.

Fragile balance between performance, safety and benevolence

In a sport as demanding as gymnastics, be it trampoline, rings or the bar fixed for example – disciplines where the body is constantly stressed, supported, scrutinized – the balance between performance, security and benevolence can be fragile. The testimonies collected make it possible to put words on feelings, often tus.

The idea, first of all, is that gymnasts know their rights better, whether they are able to distinguish what is normal or not, and that they have concrete tools to act if they are witness or victims of situations that make them uncomfortable

These exchanges are then documented by Ségolène Léchot, whose role is central in the project. She works to develop a charter of good conduct, based on what young people express. And for that, taboos must be broken. Hence the importance of putting young athletes well with confidence.

“The idea, first of all, is that gymnasts know their rights better, whether they are able to distinguish what is normal or not, and that they have concrete tools to act if they are witness or victims of situations that make them uncomfortable,” she explains. “It is a question of making children more competent to participate actively in their own protection in the context of their sports leisure.”

Internal crisis

This project is part of a particular context for the Lausanne-Bourgeoise company, marked two years ago by an internal crisis. Complaints had been made against a coach, to be too tactile and to speak vulgarly.

“It opened our eyes,” said Rolf Weber, club president. “It made us understand that we were absolutely not prepared, neither at the level of the committee, nor at the level of the coaches. We solved the problem, but at the same time, I met the people of land of men and we launched the project with them.”

I think I have never seen someone tell a coach that something had injured him. The goal is to encourage others, to help

Rolf Weber’s ambition is clear: to develop this initiative towards an official certification, accessible to all clubs, in order to guarantee parents that the rights of children are respected there.

On the youth side, the initiative is well received. The adolescent girls interviewed by the RTS become aware of their role: “I believe that I have never seen someone say to a coach that something had injured him. The goal is to encourage others, to help,” explains one of them. “I told myself that it could be useful, that people were going to talk about it, and that we were going to encourage them with our actions,” added another.

As the Federal Gymnastics Festival approaches, which will be held in Lausanne and celebrates one of the most popular sports in the country, the land of men hopes to see this initiative extend to other clubs. So that the voice of young people finally finds its place on the carpets.

Jacqueline Pirszel/fgn