The three-time Olympic canoe champion Max Rendschmidt and European beach handball champion Isabel Kattner carry the German flag together at the opening ceremony of the third European Games in Kraków, Poland. This was announced by the German Olympic Sports Confederation.
The 29-year-old Rendschmidt took part in all editions of the European Games and, in addition to Olympic gold, won several titles at world and European championships. “It’s a huge honor for me to be able to carry the flag and represent the German team with it,” said Rendschmidt. “I’m looking forward to a great atmosphere during the opening ceremony and of course to spectacular days of competition.”
The 22-year-old Kattner not only won the European Championship for the second time with the national beach handball team, but is also world champion and World Games winner. “I am very happy, grateful and honored to be the flag bearer of the German team at the European Games,” she said. “I want to enjoy this special and exciting moment, but this task is very important, especially for our sport.”
Around 7,000 athletes from 48 European countries are at the start of the European Games. Many Olympic sports are about qualifying for the 2024 Summer Games in Paris. In addition, almost a dozen sports fight for European titles. The German Olympic Sports Confederation has nominated 287 athletes.