“Excessive and intimidating”
German winter sports athlete makes new allegations
March 5, 2026 – 2:59 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
Speed skater Fridtjof Petzold publicly criticized his association – and was subsequently banned. Now resistance is forming from within our own ranks.
The athlete representative of the German Speed Skating and Short Track Association (DESG), Hendrik Dombek, has described the provisional ban of his teammate Fridtjof Petzold as “excessive and intimidating”. The Athletes Germany Association is calling for the starting ban to be lifted immediately – and is questioning the independence of the responsible disciplinary council.
Petzold publicly addressed structural problems in the association and poor support during the Winter Olympics in Italy. DESG President Matthias Große and sports director Nadine Seiden Glanz rejected the allegations and imposed a temporary starting ban. In addition, they revoked Petzold’s federal squad status. Both resolutions apply until the final decision of the disciplinary advisory board.
Athletes Germany criticizes the fact that it is precisely this disciplinary council that decides on possible sanctions. People are represented there “who bear significant responsibility for the problems raised by Petzold.”
Dombek spoke about athletes in Germany and called for a clear signal from the association’s leadership: “The association and its member organizations should use the current situation as an opportunity to change the culture of communication and the way we interact with each other.” He also told the “Süddeutsche Zeitung” that the athletes wanted “an independent clarification of the numerous allegations.”
In solidarity with Petzold, speed skater Felix Maly has canceled his participation in the all-around World Championships this week. Dombek, however, is on the starting list.
On Thursday, the DESG appointed former speed skater Christian Breuer as special representative of the executive committee. He is supposed to head the structural commission decided on last year and, together with internal and external experts, develop proposals for the future structure and working methods of the association. He will also provide advisory support to the Presidium.
