Leo Neugebauer is the shooting star of German athletics: In June, the decathlete broke the German age-old record, and he narrowly missed out on a medal at the World Championships. Now the 23-year-old, who lives in the USA, is visiting home, is happy about sauerkraut and talks about his “top goal” at the Olympics.
Shortly before Christmas, Leo Neugebauer is in a good mood strolling through the Molly Schauffele Hall at the Olympic base in Stuttgart. A chat here, a hug there. Germany’s best decathlete by no means neglects his training during his visit home to Swabia. “I’m now fully prepared again and very fit at the moment,” says Neugebauer in an interview with SWR Sport, “now the indoor season is starting. I’m looking forward to it.”
Neugebauer breaks German record and narrowly misses out on a World Cup medal
In the new season, the 23-year-old would like to build on his achievements from 2023. In June, Neugebauer sensationally broke Jürgen Hingsen’s 39-year-old German decathlon record with 8,836 points. After crossing the finish line, Neugebauer burst into tears and at first could hardly believe this “crazy” success. Neugebauer’s success not only caused a sensation at the national level: only eight decathletes ever achieved more points worldwide. “I showed myself what I could do and that was the most important thing to me,” says Neugebauer, who has been studying in Texas for four years and finds “optimal training conditions” at the college.
Neugebauer traveled to the World Cup in Budapest two months later as one of the favorites. After a fantastic day one, the German, who was on course for gold, initially fell behind after a botched start on day two. In the end, Neugebauer, who grew up in Leinfelden-Echterdingen, finished in a strong fifth place.
Timetable to Paris
In order to perhaps make it a little further ahead at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, Neugebauer is aligning everything with his “big dream of a medal”. The months leading up to the decathlon competition on August 2nd are completely scheduled. “In the indoor season I do two heptathlons, then a decathlon to qualify for the college championships, then another decathlon in June and then the full focus on the Olympics,” says Neugebauer. “In general, my goal is always to get a little bit better,” said the two-meter giant. But Olympic precious metal would be “the top goal”.
In order to achieve this, Neugebauer wants to work on “many construction sites”. While “javelin throwing probably has the most potential,” discus throwing and long jumping are among his favorite disciplines. “But actually I like doing everything. Except the 1,500 meters. But no one really likes that,” says Neugebauer. who has started for VfB Stuttgart since Novemberlaughing.
Christmas with the family
The shooting star now wants to continue training over Christmas and enjoy the time with family and friends. “We celebrate Christmas in the traditional way with grandma, grandma, aunt and uncle – everyone is there,” says Neugebauer and reveals that he is particularly looking forward to one thing back home: “I definitely missed the food there. German food There’s more flavor in it, I’m missing really nice sauerkraut over there.”
Neugebauer still has until January 2nd to satisfy his sauerkraut cravings. “Then we’ll go back to America,” says the 23-year-old, who will finish his studies there in the summer. “What happens next is still completely open.” Now the focus is on his “big dream” in Paris anyway.
