Alfons Hormann:Future of German Sport
German sport has been in the news for all the wrong reasons. This negative perception may have some truth, but there is also an opportunity for change, as with any crisis. According to the new president of the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB), Alfons Hormann, we will explore what the future holds for German sport.
German Sport’s Financial Crisis
The German Olympic Committee has had to deal with the fall-out of the Russian doping scandal. It may have to pay millions in fines for the improper procedure at Sweden’s world winter sports championships last year. And the German Tennis Federation (DTTB) has been hit by a string of injuries and retirements to top players, along with a lack of funding from the government.
Sport for all – Especially Children
Another challenge facing German sports is getting more children involved in regular physical activity and sport from an early age. Many have incorporated programs for children into their offerings. But there’s evidence that many children aren’t taking advantage of these programs even where these programs exist. Only 25% of German children participate in organized sports – one of the lowest rates in the world. And it’s not just organized sports with a low participation rate among German children. Physical activity, in general, is in decline among German children, with less than one-third of the country’s children getting the recommended amount of daily physical activity. Find out more about Alfons Hormann: https://www.dosb.de/ueber-uns/praesidium
Conclusion
There is no denying that German sport has faced significant challenges over the past few years. But there is also no denying that there is a desire within the DOSB to change how the sport is organized and delivered in Germany. Increased funding from the government, an increased focus on tennis and women’s sports, and an increased focus on children’s sports through structured programs are all positive developments that will hopefully help German sport emerge stronger from the crisis it has been facing.