The Biathlon World Championships have been running in Oberhof since this week. It is the first World Cup in Germany since Ruhpolding in 2012. Thuringia’s Prime Minister Bodo Ramelow spoke at the opening of the “biathlon fever” that infected him too.
Oberhof is a legend and has been a winter sports resort for 100 years, which has remained in people’s hearts. “Exactly 50 years ago, in 1973, the GDR held the first toboggan world championships there. At that time, the toboggan run was the most modern facility in the world. Exactly 40 years ago, the biathlon stadium was launched. It was also then Of course that’s a figurehead. Of course, it was programmatic. The GDR wanted to show that it’s a great place for sports,” said Ramelow.
The heart of Oberhof beats in the east
The history of sports also includes the doping past of the winter sports location. Nevertheless, identification in the east of the country is strong. Thuringia’s Prime Minister knows that too: “It’s firmly anchored in the hearts of East Germans. That’s far more than what I would only relate to Thuringia itself. You really notice the difference, how unknown it is in West Germany. We have that but in many places that things that East Germans take for granted are completely unknown in West Germany,” said the left-wing politician, adding: “On an emotional level, we used something that East Germans can recognize, but West Germans are invited to do .”
The Thuringian winter sports center in Oberhof was renovated over the years for the biathlon and toboggan world championships – although calculations predict that there will be significantly fewer frost and snow days in the 800 meter high town in the future. When asked about the justification of the investments in the face of climate change, the Prime Minister refers to the energy concept. Ramelow emphasizes that the modernization must meet ecological criteria – especially in times when winter sports are being questioned in view of climate change. For him, that also means breaking new technical ground. Currently, 50 percent of the electricity is generated in-house, the rest is bought in from Norway.
Invest in the tourism location of the future
“The goal for next year is that combined heat and power will already bring us to 80 percent,” emphasizes Ramelow. A separate, regenerative power plant is to be added for heat production. Ramelow envisions a winter sports resort Oberhof of the future – not only for athletes, but also tourists. “Oberhof is the place where we offer year-round training opportunities to the whole world. The ski tunnel that we have, this ski hall, is the heart of the climate and energy concept,” said Boris Ramelow.
Facility converted to year-round tourism
The federal and state governments invested around 100 million euros in the winter sports areas and infrastructure. Investments were made not only in sports facilities, but also in energy systems. “It cost us a lot more money. And that’s why I say this investment is set up in such a way that the sports facilities make sport possible and that the entire region has been converted into year-round tourism,” said the Prime Minister.
Court of Audit report: Ramelow speaks of “Oberhof bashing”
Thuringia’s Court of Auditors recently criticized shortcomings. Reports included overpriced bills and indications of corruption. Ramelow described the reporting as “outrageous”. They didn’t bother to question whether that was true.
Nothing to do with the current remodel
According to the Prime Minister, the Court of Auditors’ report has nothing to do with the current restructuring. “In this respect, you’re comparing apples to oranges, which I find quite unfair. I have a bit of the feeling that Oberhof bashing is also being pursued,” says Bodo Ramelow.