Oliver Zeidler gave the German Rowing Association the hoped-for gold at the end of a historically weak Rowing World Championship – and renewed his criticism of the association.
In the one-final of the title fights in Racice, Czech Republic, the 2019 world champion relegated the favored European champion Melvin Twellaar from the Netherlands and the British Graeme Thomas to second and third place.
Unlike the disappointing fourth place at the home European Championships in Munich six weeks ago, the 26-year-old’s tactics worked this time. In the final sprint he showed his skills and saved a gap of almost a boat length to the finish. In the end he didn’t even have the strength to celebrate. Only at the award ceremony did Zeidler smile again. He posed for the photographers on the shoulders of his two opponents.
“I’ve waited a long time for this sense of achievement. It boosts my self-confidence.”Zeidler said. “When you win a regatta like this, you can give yourself a pat on the back.”
Problems with the DRV obvious
However, Zeidler’s courageous appearance cannot hide the major problems of the DRV. Except for the singles and the women’s double sculls, which finished sixth on Sunday, the world’s largest rowing association was not represented in any of the 14 finals of the Olympic classes.
There has never been such a weak overall record since the World Cup was introduced in 1962. That should intensify the already emotional reform debate between DRV leadership and athletes. “Overall we are far from the best in the world. We have to start the hard work very quickly now”said coach Uwe Bender.
After the competition, Zeidler renewed his criticism of the association in clear words.
It’s competitive sport, so it’s all about performance. And if that doesn’t happen, and that’s because someone doesn’t do their work to the extent required by the athletes, then that’s simply not enough and then you have to draw the appropriate conclusions.
Eighth wins B final
Even Germany’s eighth, which has been successful for years, missed the final for the first time since Beijing 2008, but still won the B final ahead of China on the last day of the World Cup. Like the eighth, one-man driver Alexandra Föster, the winner of the B final, finished the regatta in seventh place.