Dirk Schimmelpfennig: "We have not issued any medal targets"

What effect does the pandemic have on the performance of the Olympic team?

Anno Hecker

Responsible editor for sports.

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The training situation during the past 18 months has been rated very positively by the professional associations. In Germany, in the lockdown, it was quickly possible to enable training at the federal bases for cadre athletes. Problems were more likely for the young generation among the federal cadres. But many competitions were canceled. They are important for the comparison. Max Hartung tells me that the fencers have fought among themselves and can only now grapple with international opponents who choose a different strategy and have a different technique. Something like this can hardly be simulated in training in combat sports or in game sports. Shortly before the start of the games, i.e. when preparing for the competition, comparisons were made, also here in Japan.In this respect, we may have to reckon with losses in terms of performance. It will be exciting to see how this turns out in an international comparison.

Do experienced athletes have an advantage in such conditions?

I believe that the more experienced have learned to deal with different conditions in their careers.

They know what it means to be hurt, how to come back.

You can cope with such difficulties.

So are the young athletes at a disadvantage?

No, not necessarily.

They come with great anticipation because they managed to let the games take place.

This is your first time here.

The dream will come true.

That inspires.

If you've never been to the Olympics, you won't miss the flair and the party atmosphere in the Olympic Village, won't you?

 Maybe it's a little easier for the boys to focus on the competitions because there isn't as much distraction as there is usually in the games.

When I was a coach, we arrived as early as possible so that after three days the amazement subsided and the athletes could concentrate fully on their sport again.

Inevitably you will be very focused in these games.

What will Tokyo be missing?

I expect that the spirit will be missing a bit, the spirit that pushes some when you see the international competition of world-class format in the weight room or in the exchange in the cafeteria in the Olympic village.

That will all be restricted.

The exchange within the German team will also be significantly restricted.

Please describe roughly the conditions.

An athlete is allowed to arrive a maximum of seven days in advance, actually only five, but because of the long way and the time difference, we come to seven days if five days of preparation should be necessary.

Once a competition is over, the athlete has 48 hours to leave the village and the country.

This will keep the number of athletes in the Olympic Village as small as possible in order to prevent the risk of infection with the corona virus.

Although more than 80 percent should be vaccinated and every athlete is tested every day, are there no freedoms in the isolated Olympic Village?

We'll obey the rules.

This includes that even sub-teams within the team separate themselves a little more than before.

It doesn't make a big difference to the mood within a sub-team.

You are in your apartment, live together like a family for a few days, which is not possible at world or European championships with single and double rooms.

But there will be fewer contacts with other athletes, conversations while eating, "Congratulations, you went well," Congratulations ", and under different conditions.

It's a shame because the Olympics with athletes from many different countries and sports is something special.

At the table with a star like Dirk Nowitzki or the best German basketball player of the time as a fan of hockey players like in Beijing in 2008 in the stands, you shouldn't even think about that?

At least that will happen less often.

And the athletes only have access to the village and their competition venues.

They will not be able to cheer their team members in the stands.

You won't be able to see Tokyo either.

Much of what defines the Olympic Games will be missing.

What remains?

It is certainly very unfortunate that essential elements of these games will not take place.

But I also have to say that after 18 months it is a good feeling to know: yes, the games will take place.

It was so uncertain for a long time.

The athletes have said that this is what the games absolutely wanted, even under the conditions that are now in force.