Aljona Savchenko no longer coach at the Chemnitz Ice Skating Club

Olympic champion Aljona Savchenko is no longer the coach at the Chemnitz Ice Skating Club. As reported by the "Freie Presse", the 40-year-old had already terminated her contract in August. Savchenko had returned to Chemnitz in April 2023. Her former partner Robin Szolkowy, with whom she won five world championship titles and two Olympic bronze medals in pairs skating, is employed in Chemnitz on a freelance basis.

Violation of employee obligations?

Savchenko's voluntary departure has now led to mutual accusations. "I was systematically bullied at the club and it was impossible for me to work in such a toxic atmosphere," Savchenko told the newspaper. According to reports, Savchenko is said to have found a new job in Italy.

The relationship with the Chemnitz club management was apparently shattered. "With her resignation, Aljona has taken something away from us, as she has violated employee obligations such as recording working hours," said chairwoman Stephanie Schneider. In her opinion, Savchenko was unwilling to cooperate and also preferred private training to club training. In addition, the celebrity trainer is said to have made derogatory comments about children, which she vehemently denies.

Savchenko also emphasized that she was only offered a part-time job. "I was told that the club didn't need a coach," said the former world-class athlete. Under these conditions, the single mother also had to give private training sessions.

New job probably in Italy

The cooperation probably also failed due to the club's structures, at least that's how Szolkowy sees it. "The opportunities that we bring to the table, primarily with our names but also as a coaching team, were too big for Chemnitz. The approach of many of the people we have worked with and who would also like to work with us is different. They don't fit into the system," said the 45-year-old. You don't have to stamp out what has gone before, but you do have to open up to new things in places.

Savchenko confirmed this. "I would have liked to be accepted as a coach. Unfortunately, I had the impression that the club was only sticking to old structures and not showing any openness to new developments," said the 40-year-old. Schneider countered this and referred to the structures in Germany and the associated political support.