24. Dezember 2010  
Niederlande  
Artistic Gymnastics

Dutch KNGU gives Yuri van Gelder another chance

Yuri VAN GELDER (NED)
... back to the apparatus

The "Dutch Royal Gymnastics Union" (KNGU) has decided to give gymnast the former World Champion on still rings, Yuri van Gelder, another chance to return to top-level gymnastics. The decision is the result of negotiations between Yuri van Gelder and KNGU representatives. The negotiations were held after mediation by sports umbrella organisation NOC*NSF. Yuri van Gelder - nicknamed 'The Lord of the Rings' - returned to gymnastics this summer after being suspended for a year for cocaine abuse.
He was to take part in the Rotterdam world championships but was thrown off the national team after he confessed that he had used cocaine once again. Last week, the gymnast revealed he had made a false confession.
He said he had not been able to handle the pressure and had forced a rift.
Yuri van Gelder was accepted back on the team after several meetings and will start training with the national selection again.
* Source: Dutch media