According to the Associated Press, a four-year international investigation has exposed physical, verbal and psychological abuse of Azerbaijani rhythmic gymnasts, resulting in significant sanctions against the perpetrators and the Azerbaijan Gymnastics Federation (AGF) itself. The abuse allegedly occurred between 2013 and 2021. The perpetrators, including coaches from the AGF and the AGF as a whole will face serious penalties.
The four-year investigation was directed by the Gymnastics Ethics Federation (GEF) and was authorised by the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG). It started in 2020 after complaints were filed by the athletes. The investigation exposed numerous cases of intimidation and systematic abuse by key figures.
The former head coach of Azerbaijan’s rhythmic gymnastics team from 2008-2021, Mariana Vasileva (who is originally from Bulgaria), received an eight-year international ban.
Vasileva was accused of attempting to strangle an athlete and physically assaulting them in other ways. She was also accused of isolating the athletes from their families. The athletes expressed that they were forced to train despite being physically compromised.
Vasileva “exemplified and normalized a behaviour of abuse over children and teenagers over which she had an important power,” an independent panel of three judges expressed.
Vasileva’s sanction includes a lifetime ban from working as a head coach for any national federation. She must also complete a three-month protection course if she is to return to coaching, possibly in 2032. “Mariana Vasileva’s denial that she had ever caused a gymnast pain is not credible,” the judges also stated.
The Associated Press reported that in 2013, one gymnast attempted to jump out of a window because she was being bullied due to her weight. Siyana Vasileva, Mariana Vasileva’s daughter, reportedly had to prevent the athlete from jumping.
Siyana herself, however, also received an eighteen-month ban for hitting a gymnast with a phone whilst she was also an Olympic coach.
Conversely, AGF’s Sports Director, Natalia Bulanova, was cleared of all charges. However, her attempt to convince witnesses to withdraw their testimonies was investigated.
The investigation also highlighted the close relationship between the Azerbaijani government and the AGF. The federation is led by Mehriban Aliyeva, Vice President of the state run for more than 21 years by her husband President Ilham Aliyev.
The AGF itself was fined 30,000 Swiss Francs and it cannot participate in high-level competitions until 2026. It was prohibited from joining the 25th Council Meeting in 2025 in Qawra and cannot participate in the 86th Congress in Thailand next year.
It is also banned from International Gymnastics Federation activities and other international events for six months. However, this sentence will be suspended for twelve months if the AGF meets requirements.
This includes employing a qualified protection expert to evaluate its procedures and protection mechanisms such as disciplinary procedures. The AGF has a deadline of 31 March 2025 to have a report submitted about it. Reviews must be quarterly until December next year to meet the requirements. The AGF must also employ an Independent Protection Director to report to the GEF until December 2028.
The investigation highlights the significance of independent investigations and safeguarding in sport.
