Berlin (dpa) – DOSB President Thomas Weikert understands the strict corona regulations imposed by host China at the Winter Olympics in Beijing.
“These strict measures are good so that everyone stays healthy. I think that’s absolutely necessary,” said the head of the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) of the “Augsburger Allgemeine”. “We now know, because there was a positive case in the support staff upon arrival, that the tests are going well.” Most recently, athletes and coaches had expressed concerns about the requirements in China.
Weikert assured that the criticized conditions in the Chinese accommodations – especially in the quarantine hotels – had improved. “We also know that the quarantine hotel is good now,” he said. “We had addressed the conditions in the test competitions and then had a video conference with the Chinese Minister of Sports, in which he surprisingly said that it was not good and would not happen again.” The Winter Games in Beijing begin next Friday and end on February 20th.
The 60-year-old emphasized again that “our athletes” could express themselves politically despite the severely restricted freedom of expression in China. “But you can also leave it and concentrate on the sport,” said Weikert. “We will respect both. Either way – we will stand in front of the athletes and protect them.”
Weikert was elected to succeed Alfons Hörmann at the top of the DOSB in December. The 61-year-old Hörmann had given up his candidacy after allegations against him because of his leadership style. However, he had always seen himself as a victim of a campaign. Weikert has repeatedly rejected this representation. “I couldn’t understand it at the time and I still can’t today. I fear for Mr. Hörmann: There will be no evidence because there is nothing to prove.”