German Athletics: 'Two years ago, they were writing us off'

German athletics is experiencing a remarkable resurgence, marked by world records, European records, and numerous European Championship titles in recent weeks.

This wave of success stands in stark contrast to the prevailing sentiment after the 2024 Olympic Games, when concerns were high regarding the state of German elite sports. The impressive haul of medals at the European Championships in Birmingham, doubling the count from the previous event and securing six times as many gold medals, has surprised many.

Jörg Bügner, the board member for performance sport at the German Athletics Association (DLV), acknowledged the unexpected nature of these achievements. In an interview with DIE ZEIT, he was asked about his surprise at the athletes' performance, particularly the significant increase in medal count and gold medals compared to the 2022 championships in Rome.

"Two years ago, they were writing us off," Bügner stated, reflecting on the period of doubt that preceded this current success. The recent triumphs suggest a significant positive development and a renewed momentum within German athletics, challenging the earlier narrative of decline.

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Two years ago, they were writing us off.