Olympic Champion Claudia Pechstein Appointed German Speed Skating Head Coach

In a move aimed at revitalizing German speed skating, five-time Olympic champion Claudia Pechstein has been appointed as the new Bundestrainerin Allround. The German Speed Skating and Short Track Community (DESG) announced that the 54-year-old will officially take over the previously interim position starting August 1.

The DESG cited Pechstein's "exceptionally long-standing" experience in speed skating and her coaching qualifications from the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) as key reasons for her appointment. Her transition into this role was facilitated by a restructuring at the federal training center in Inzell.

Simultaneously, Canadian Mike Hall will assume Pechstein's former role as the federal training center coach in Inzell. The DESG has also appointed Paweł Abratkiewicz from Poland as the new Bundestrainer Sprint, signaling a comprehensive effort to strengthen the national coaching staff. The duration of these contracts was not disclosed by the association.

DESG President Matthias Große, who is also Pechstein's partner, expressed optimism about the changes. "We want to get back to the world elite, and we are now creating not only the structural but also the personnel prerequisites for this," Große stated, emphasizing the association's commitment to rebuilding the sport's competitive standing.

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We want to get back to the world elite, and we are now creating not only the structural but also the personnel prerequisites for this.