Germany’s best ski jumper Karl Geiger believes in an end to the lull in the Four Hills Tournament.
“In the past few years one of the German jumpers has always been involved, so the chances are very good. That’s why I think we will crack the tour,” said the 28-year-old from Oberstdorf in an interview with the “Augsburger Allgemeine”.
The last German overall victory dates back to 2002, when Sven Hannawald won all four competitions one after the other.
Geiger travels to his home town in the yellow jersey of the World Cup leader, where the 70th edition of the traditional event begins on December 29th.
Four Hills Tournament: Karl Geiger “not alone on a wide field”?
“We are very compact as a team. The nice thing about the situation is that I am not alone in the long haul,” said Geiger.
But that’s only partly true. Markus Eisenbichler achieved two podium places in November, but recently weakened massively. At the dress rehearsal in Engelberg, Switzerland, Geiger was the only German jumper who was right at the front.
Geiger thinks little of a diplomatic boycott of the Olympic Winter Games in Beijing (February 4th to 20th) and instead wants to focus on sport.
Such a boycott, as some countries have announced, is “too easy” for him, said Geiger. “Either you try to do it better yourself or you accept the award. From February 4th, it will be about sport and not about politics. We active people cannot afford what politics has failed to do.”
There are “undoubtedly things and developments in China that are questionable,” said the ski jumping star: “But the protest against it is out of place at the Olympics. The political questions should have been asked when the award was made to China. In In my view of the Olympic spirit, politics has no place in it. “
Karl Geiger: “It’s about fair competitions and sporting combat”
Instead, the Olympics are “primarily about sport. And if China wants to host the Games, then I think they will do it well,” said Geiger: “You have done everything to ensure that all sports facilities are in good shape. Man can criticize that China is not a winter sports nation. But you can also see it positively that winter sports are made popular in China. For us athletes, it is about fair competitions and competitive fighting. “
Criticism of the upcoming Olympic host has been growing for months. The US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the UK have decided to diplomatic boycotts of the Beijing Games over alleged human rights violations. The decision does not affect athletes, they should take part in the major event.
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