Germany’s ski jumping icon Sven Hannawald looked back in emotional words on the severe psychological problems that led to the end of his career in 2004.
“Even in 2003 I was constantly exhausted. My symptoms were similar to those of glandular fever. But I didn’t have that. I ran from one doctor to the next. Nobody could find anything. It was always: ‘Wow, top athletes! You have top values ‘” Hannawald described in an interview with the “Pharmacy magazine”.
“24 hours a day, seven days a week” was about ski jumping in his head, according to the winner of the 2002 Four Hills Tournament. “But I didn’t have time to take better care of myself. I was successful. I had tasted blood . I didn’t want to jump for lower places. I wanted to be at the top. Half measures are not my thing.”
Diagnosis burnout “a salvation” for Sven Hannawald
On vacation in 2004 he went “particularly badly”, said Hannawald. “I could hardly stand the silence around me, felt like a hunted animal. Inside I was frozen.”
He then consulted a psychosomatic doctor. “He spoke to me for half an hour – and had a very clear diagnosis,” said Hannawald, who was diagnosed with burnout syndrome.
The 47-year-old explained: “It was a total relief for me. I finally knew what was wrong with me and was able to do something about it. My plan: go to a clinic quickly, have them explain what I’m doing wrong, pick up a few tips on what I can do better – and then get fit again quickly so that I can train for the upcoming season.”
“I had to let my love, ski jumping, go”
But Hannawald’s plan didn’t work out. “I was able to switch off well in the clinic. But as soon as I thought about ski jumping, my body became restless. I couldn’t sleep, I was drenched in sweat. At first, medication helped me. The pills gave me peace in the evenings.”
After the end of his stay in the clinic, when he tried to return to training, he was overcome by a feeling of “extreme restlessness and stress that I thought I had overcome long ago,” said Hannawald. “It was clear to me that if I ignore this feeling now, I’ll end up back in the clinic. My body said very clearly: Leave it. And I listened to him. That was the hardest day of my life. I had to love my ski jumping , let go.”
Today Hannawald is satisfied with his life. The job as an ARD expert is “a lot of fun”, enthused the Olympic champion from Salt Lake City.
However, a return to the hill, even if it is just for one or two jumps, is out of the question.
“Ski jumping is a sport of trust. I still know exactly what is important, but I don’t trust it anymore. Unlike tennis or football, this sport is too dangerous to simply try again,” said Hannawald.