The three-time Olympic toboggan champion Johannes Ludwig puts the sled in the corner. In a statement, the 36-year-old said he was looking forward to a new chapter in his life. Ludwig already has plans for this.
About three months after his gold medals in the individual and in the team relay at the Winter Games in Beijing, Johannes Ludwig (Oberhof) announced his retirement on Monday. The home World Cup next year was no longer enough for the Thuringian to motivate him to continue his career.
“Tobogganing is the basic content of my life. In the past 30 years, almost every day was determined by skating and demanded great deprivation from me, but also from my family environment,” said the 36-year-old in a statement distributed by the Thuringian Tobogganing and Bobsleigh Association Explanation: “In the course of my career, I’ve learned that in competitive sports, stamina and confidence in one’s own abilities are the most important elements for success. I’m looking forward to a new chapter in my life.”
Ludwig wants to spend time with his family
Professionally, his future career with the federal police will play a major role. “But the focus will initially be on my family. I’m looking forward to the summer and the time with my children, who had to do without me for so long,” said the successful athlete, describing his plans for the future.
Ludwig’s individual success meant the first gold medal for Team D at the Olympic competitions in China. Born in Suhl, who had stood in the shadow of his teammate Felix Loch until Beijing, crowned his career a few days later by repeating his Olympic victory from 2018 in Pyeongchang with the relay.