In May, the WDR magazine Westpol and the Sportschau reported on allegations of abuse of power against a rowing coach from Münster. The German Rowing Association has now rehabilitated the coach. The decision is met with astonishment, irritation and criticism.
“The allegations made have not been confirmed”explains the German Rowing Association (DRV) in its statement from the end of September. In it, the association writes that the coach, Thorsten Kortmann, was confronted with the allegations.
“After carefully questioning Kortmann and examining the facts at hand”the DRV statement continues, “No action could objectively be established against the principles of the DRV, which are, among other things, anchored in the statutes.” The relevant paragraph concludes with the statement that the allegations made have been proven “not confirmed afterwards”.
Kortmann denies allegations
In the reporting of the WDR magazine Westpol and in the sports show documentary “System of Fear”, athletes, among others, made serious allegations against Thorsten Kortmann. Kortmann had rejected all allegations made against him through his lawyers.
After the reporting in May, the DRV still had Kortmann’s activities in committee work and as a national coach “until further notice” exposed. This temporary suspension was lifted with the statement issued at the end of September. But this is now sparking clear criticism.
Münster City Sports Association is “surprised”
“We are very surprised by the DRV’s decision and find the federal association’s actions to be non-transparent and not motivated by the interest of taking the perspective of those affected.”writes the Münster City Sports Association at the request of the Sportschau.
The Münster rowing club, where the coach continued to work under certain conditions after the report, reacted more cautiously in its response to the DRV statement. “We have taken note of this report”writes the RVM.
Club and regional association with their own investigations
The club itself began investigating the case after the allegations against Kortmann became public. The DRV’s statement will not be commented on publicly “since our investigation is still ongoing”explains the RVM when asked.
An investigation is currently underway at the North Rhine-Westphalian Rowing Association (NW RV) in connection with the allegations against Kortmann, as the association confirmed to the Sportschau. According to Sportschau information, several people contacted the independent contact point of the NW RV because of the reporting and reported on their experiences with the trainer.
The decision of the DRV is “independent of the corresponding procedure of the NW RV and has no impact on our dealings”says the association.
DRV has “nothing to add”
So while investigations are still underway at two of its member organizations, the umbrella organization has nevertheless rehabilitated the trainer. It is not known on what basis the DRV came to its conclusion, according to which rules the investigation was carried out, what expertise the people carrying out the investigation had and whether other people apart from Thorsten Kortmann were interviewed.
The German Rowing Association did not answer all of these and other questions about its decision at the Sportschau. When asked, the DRV wrote that there was nothing to add to the statement.
According to information from the Münster City Sports Association, the DRV investigation “There were no discussions with those potentially affected”. The DRV’s decision contradicts the understanding of the SSB Münster “of honest and thorough processing”writes the SSB of the sports show.
The latter seems to be quite clear to the DRV. “We are aware that our statement does not correspond to the personal feelings of some people and rowers and could cause incomprehension or even annoyance.”writes the DRV. “But we still live in a constitutional state and therefore adhere to the law.”
Funding stop for the RV Münster remains in place
This should also apply to the Münster rowing club, the city sports association and the NRW rowing association. And for the state sports association with the management level of competitive sports in North Rhine-Westphalia. After the WDR/Sportschau reporting in May, this imposed a funding stop for the Münster rowing club.
According to LSB NRW, this decision still applies. “The rehabilitation of Thorsten Kortmann by the DRV has no significance for the decision of the management level of competitive sports in North Rhine-Westphalia”the state sports association responded to a corresponding request from the sports show. “The actions of the NW RV and the RVM are crucial for a possible lifting of the funding stop.”
The state association and club are continuing their investigations. This is initially the case with the Münster rowing club “just slowly” progress has been made, the club confirms. Those affected would have a lawyer as head of the investigation “viewed more critically”. A renowned external sports mentor has now been brought in. The RVM is currently distributing their contact details in an information letter.
Münster City Sports Association: “Those affected are disregarded”
The NW RV is also unimpressed by its umbrella organization’s decision. The decision of May 18, 2025 still applies, “To release the coach accused in this context from looking after the NW RV teams until the matter has been finally clarified.”.
While the allegations against Kortmann continue to be dealt with in Münster and at the state level, the DRV may have caused more damage with its controversial and non-transparent decision. At least the Münster City Sports Association sees it like this: “Rehabilitation leaves an aftertaste that is damaging to the coach and the sport and leaves those affected with disregard.”