The goldsmith

Gabriele Frehse

Pauline Schäfer's victory at this year's World Gymnastics Championships in Montréal, Canada, was the first time in over 30 years that a German gymnast had won the gold medal. She impressed the judges with a perfect routine and her own element, the "Schäfer", a side somersault with a half twist. It was created by Gabriele Frehse, affectionately called Gabi by the gymnasts. Born in Karl-Marx-Stadt, she has been training young gymnasts from all over Germany at the Turn- und Sportverein 1861 Chemnitz-Altendorf e. V. for over 40 years and holds the strings in her hand. In our Maker of the Week interview, she talks about the club culture and the perception of gymnastics.

What was the key to success at this year's World Gymnastics Championships?
Gabriele Frehse: Hard training every day! Of course, you also need a bit of talent, but daily training in the hall and on the apparatus has to be the centre of an athlete's life.

Did you believe that your protégé would be so successful?
No, it was a surprise for me too. She wasn't that fit because she had an injury beforehand. Our wish was that she would make it to the final, either on floor exercise or balance beam. When she was in the final, of course we secretly wished that it would be another medal like in Glasgow. (Editor's note. Editor's note: The 2015 World Gymnastics Championships were held in Glasgow, Scotland. Pauline Schäfer took bronze in the balance beam). But none of us believed it would be gold.

What characterises good training, a good coach?
Consistency on both sides. Not every constellation of coach and athlete is right, the chemistry also has to be right.

As a coach, do you also act as a mother substitute from time to time?
The gymnasts all claim that I'm their surrogate mum. That's understandable. They come to the boarding school at a young age, spend four weeks here before travelling home once at the weekend. We are sometimes together for six hours or more a day, so you need your own private space from time to time.

What is your secret for getting athletes from Germany to come to Chemnitz especially for gymnastics?
I don't know, you have to ask the athletes. The athletes always say that they come here because of me. I always say they come because of the good conditions we have - everything is on site, we work and co-operate closely. That's the reason for me. But Pauline also said at the time that she came because of me. But I don't really know exactly why.

Gabriele Frehse's dream was always to become a gymnast. A hip problem as a child prevented her from doing so. Nevertheless, she followed her passion and worked as an exercise instructor during her training at the former BSG Motor Karl-Marx-Stadt Altendorf, now the Turn- und Sportverein 1861 Chemnitz-Altendorf e. V. When she had her skilled worker's certificate in her pocket, she started the next day at the sports equipment factory as a sports instructor. That was in 1978, which is how long Gabriele Frehse has been working at the gymnastics club. "I've always loved it. The aesthetics and versatility, just thinking, wow, how can they control their bodies like that. It always looks beautiful," enthuses Frehse, who doesn't have to worry about the next generation. The team currently has 15 national squads, more than ever before.

You have been working at the club for around 40 years. How do you think the club culture has changed?
Nothing has changed in the club - we've stayed the same. But we have become smaller because we didn't manage to keep everyone together after reunification. The bowlers and tennis players have become independent. But for years now, we have maintained our membership level of 300, and club life is still characterised by joint activities, such as the annual Gymmotion. The gymnasts' parents were fully involved there, and I can also rely on them and the club members at competitions. The sense of togetherness characterises our club in particular.

How can you raise awareness of gymnastics?
Football is easy for people to watch. With gymnastics, you have to get to grips with the whole thing much more intensively. It's easier to look after a ball than to recognise figures, jumps and movement sequences. In addition, gymnastics events should be televised more often so that people can experience the aesthetics. We also don't have the great advertising opportunities. We are not outdoors, but in a hall. Of course you can do some advertising indoors, but you don't have the same reach as outdoors. There's not much space on the gymnastics uniforms to show advertising, but there is with football shirts.

When it comes to success, it's usually the athletes who take centre stage. How do you deal with this as a coach in the background?
The athlete should also be in the foreground, I don't think that's a bad thing. At the World Championships, I decided to stay in Chemnitz. But the moment in our hall, even when the Lord Mayor was there, that was the best moment. We are at home here. I'm happy that the neighbour greets me and congratulates me. I don't need the hype, the local recognition is enough.

What do you want for gymnastics in the coming years? In which direction should it develop?
I would like to see more presence on television and better media attention. That way we can also find sponsors for Pauline Schäfer and Sophie Scheder, who have won international medals at the Olympics and the World Championships.

What will change at the national centre as a result of the renovation of the gymnastics halls?
There will be an extension with an open pit system to prevent injuries and to be able to compete internationally. The roof will be redone. However, everything is still delayed as we do not yet have a confirmed federal budget due to the formation of the new government. Pauline and Sophie have already written a letter to Minister de Maizière so that we can get the necessary measures in advance and submit them by January so that we can start in June.

Where do you see gymnastics and the city in 2025?
My dream is to bring the individual European Championships to the city in 2023. If that were to happen, I would be absolutely delighted and it would be a great way to round things off. If we also become the Capital of Culture, that would be great.