Pechstein Appointed Germany's Speed Skating Coach Amidst Union Turmoil

Claudia Pechstein, Germany's most decorated speed skater, is stepping into a new role as the national allround coach for the German Speed Skating and Short Track Union (DESG) until the end of 2026. The five-time Olympic champion will manage this position alongside her current duties as a federal training center coach in Inzell.

Andreas Kraus will also take on an interim role as the sprint national coach, in addition to his work with junior athletes. DESG President Matthias Große, who is also Pechstein's partner, stated that both coaches have the organization's full trust. This appointment provides crucial planning stability for the DESG and German speed skating as they look towards selecting coaches for the 2030 Olympic Games.

Pechstein succeeds Alexis Contin, who is returning to France to focus on developing their national team for the 2030 Winter Olympics. Contin had been a point of controversy during the Milan Winter Games following accusations from skater Fridtjof Petzold about his management style. Nadine Seidenglanz, DESG's sports director and Contin's wife, has refuted these claims. The DESG, meanwhile, failed to secure any Olympic medals for the fourth consecutive time.

The DESG has faced significant internal turmoil since the Olympics. A "Sportschau" report highlighted alleged irregularities and strained relationships within the organization. In a post-Olympic media event, the DESG leadership banned two ARD journalists, drawing widespread criticism, though the union leadership denies the allegations.

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Both trainers enjoy our full confidence. The decision gives the association and German speed skating planning security until the end of the year. Until then, we will have enough time to conduct an orderly application process and decide on the coaches who will lead our athletes to the 2030 Olympics.