interview
In Germany, there has recently been resistance to the IOC and the Olympic Games. But: The family atmosphere of the European Championships inspires. Is there another application? DOSB President Weikert can imagine it.
Sportschau: Why do you think people accept these European Championships so well?
Thomas Weikert: “The organization is great, there’s no other way to say it. The park is great and of course very reminiscent of 1972. These are my first Olympic Games that I can consciously remember. And the weather does the rest. I was here yesterday private on the way, soaked up the mood, looked at what music was being played, ate something – really great.”
“Build on” without gigantism on European Championships
Is it because people don’t feel like the gigantism that prevails at the Olympic Games and prefer the familiar like here?
Weikert: “I think you can also host the Olympic Games without being gigantic. This is a very good event with nine sports and you can see that you can build on that.”
DOSB member survey on Olympic applications
So it could still be a while before Germany is a venue again, right? Do you see the chance in the foreseeable future? The Olympic Games have been awarded until 2032.
Weikert: “Of course we’re thinking about the Olympic Games in Germany, whether it’s winter or summer. And my colleague Verena Bentele has already said it: Of course we’re considering it. But first we’ll ask the members in general. We will present a schedule at the next general meeting in December and then we’ll see.
We won’t make the mistake of saying it’ll be A or B. If that’s the case, we’ll conduct a lot of surveys and then see what comes of it – whether Germany wants the Olympics.”
Is there a more concrete concept that should be approved at the general meeting at the end of the year?
Weikert: “Please understand that I’m not going to say that just yet. We haven’t approved it in the presidency either. But I think it will be a good schedule. We’ll try to convey that sensibly and I’m convinced that the Members will see that as positive and will then also follow us in the suggestions that we will make.”
“Without sustainability we don’t need to compete”
One problem is certainly the gigantism practiced by the IOC when it comes to the Olympic Games. Do you actually see the possibility of the IOC moving away from that and going back to a more family event like the one taking place here?
Weikert: “I think the IOC has understood that very well and has now implemented it with the new awards. For example to Brisbane. There, sites are also used that are already there. And of course it will also be the case in the future that nothing at all may, can and wants to do other things more.
Otherwise we have a big problem with sustainability and that is a buzzword that we have to implement and which we also have to follow, otherwise we don’t have to compete at all. And it makes sense these days to do it that way.”
No talks with IOC President Thomas Bach yet
For you as DOSB President, it is also about regaining trust in politics and, of course, with the citizens. How difficult is that when the IOC comes along and demands that the host countries sign a “host city” contract which, among other things, requires that the IOC not have to pay any taxes?
Weikert: “It’s definitely a question that needs to be discussed. We’ll discuss it in due course – when we decide to host the Olympics. That’s definitely a question for the future that might have to be answered differently.”
Do you also talk about this with Thomas Bach? (IOC President, editor’s note)
Weikert: “We haven’t talked about it yet. But I assume that we want and need to talk to him or his successor when the time comes.”
Is it a sensitive issue at the IOC?
Weikert: “I can’t judge that, we haven’t talked about it yet.”
The DOSB and the “Pact of Sports”
You have just come from the conference of sports ministers and have called for a “Pact of Sports”. What does it include?
Weikert: “‘Sports pact’ means – we want to have an evaluation by the citizens: What should happen with sport in the future? There is a lot going on, also due to the pandemic, nobody can do anything about it. But we have to see that we – starting with the children, through the elementary school and the other schools – anchor sport there right from the start, which is still not the case today.
I always get annoyed when physical education is canceled in elementary schools, for example with my own son. That has to be changed. Everyone has to take part: politics, business and also sport – all the ‘stakeholders’ there are. I think this is a sensible topic that we have to implement accordingly, also with a view to major events here in Germany.”
The interview was conducted by Esther Sedlaczek.