Innocent or not, gymnast Yuri van Gelder’s career is dead in the water. Had he been an artist, a musician, a banker or a journalist, it wouldn’t have mattered as long as his cocaine use didn’t interfere with his work but Van Gelder is a top gymnast and what’s more he’s got form, writes the NRC in a commentary.

Whether cocaine actually made him a better gymnast is questionable but the stuff is on the forbidden list of World anti-doping agency WADA and that is that. Cocaine is only taboo during competition, however, and this time Van Gelder definitely didn’t get caught while competing.
It would follow that strictly speaking Van Gelder hasn’t done anything wrong and that gymnastics federation KNGU had no business sticking its nose where it didn’t belong. It may be that the federation thought it was only a matter of time before Van Gelder would get caught again and this time in the middle of a ring exercise which would harm not only him but gymnastics in general.
But the damage seems to have been done and the Lord of the Ring’s career could well be over.
Van Gelder didn’t keep his promise, the federation lamented and promptly withdrew him from the world championships. The gymnast considered this a declaration of war and, after a short and to some meaningful silence, stated categorically that he hadn’t been near the stuff. He pointed out that numerous tests had come back negative. He had a point but who is going to believe an addict?
Today’s Yuri van Gelder is not top sports material. His statement also mentions the pressures of the sport and his fear of a ‘lack of form’. He even considered pulling out of the world championship. Top sportsmen are supposed to be able to cope with such pressures. That is what psychological support is for.
People like Yuri van Gelder live in a glass house. Their medals are not just theirs but belong to the nation as well. But being a sporting hero can lead to walking around with your head in the clouds. We don’t know whether Van Gelder is junkie or not and it’s none of our business. But one thing is certain: he is addicted to life between the rings. And how unhealthy is that?
This is an unofficial translation