Sigis Spitzen | Sport falls by the wayside

Almost all politicians of all stripes have to be marathon runners. They are challenged almost every day. In election campaigns on the streets, in talk shows on all the different TV channels and of course in front of their members at party meetings. A certain level of general fitness does no harm. It is good that this can be seen. No one in the political scene is suffering from being extremely overweight. Healthy management personnel can do no harm if you want to get the country back on its feet. Maybe even in terms of sport, because in this respect too, things have been going steadily downhill in Germany since the fall of the Wall. There have never been so few medals as at the Olympic Games in Paris. A total of four fewer than three years earlier in Tokyo. Tenth place in the notorious medal table, which for many is the measure of all things. After all, the then-incumbent Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz was even in Paris. He met the racing canoeists. But they did not want to talk to him. They wanted to be visited not only on special days and generally more attention and, above all, reforms. Lasting top performances can only be achieved if the framework conditions are right. And that is where the problems lie. And massively so. The financial resources for top-level sport can be improved, to put it mildly. But that is only one side that has got into trouble in order to meet the demands that politicians also have on sport. Infrastructure, trainer training and pay for instructors. All of this leaves a lot to be desired. In addition, the athletes often complain about a lack of social recognition. The frustration is great. Politicians are reacting in their usual way: with diversionary tactics. They want to host the Olympic Games again. As if this would accelerate the necessary impetus, especially since the earliest date for this would be 2040, because 2036, exactly one hundred years after the National Socialists' games in Berlin in 1936, would not have been particularly successful in terms of timing. In addition, they probably have other concerns at the moment than helping a private institution like the International Olympic Committee (IOC). A Party for Sport In their simplistic focus on issues such as the economy and migration, deportations and border controls, politicians are overlooking the potential of sport to generate votes. In Germany, for example, over 86.000 million people are registered in the 28 clubs. That is 3,2 percent more than a year ago. A third of the total population is registered in this way. And no political party was concerned with this large group in the run-up to the election next weekend. I am just daydreaming. I am founding a party. Let's say "PSG" (Party for Social Affairs, Sport, Health and the Common Good). If I do it cleverly, I can have an unimaginably large number of voters in one fell swoop. I also promise my target group what they want to hear. (You learn quickly). Swimming pools are being restored, sports halls are being modernized, trainers' salaries are being increased. Top athletes are also being given better insurance. Of course, the word "tax" cannot be left out. All bonuses that are received, such as for successes under the sign of the rings, remain entirely with the athletes. Tax-free. That always goes down well. School sports are being put on a new footing. Much more, even daily exercise, is on the timetable. Sports teachers are being hired. Health insurance companies are being brought on board. Nutrition is also on the timetable. Of course, children should also be included in an early sports concept. And when it's our turn, which is unavoidable given our voter potential, we will also get a real sports minister who will receive a large budget and will be a helpful support to the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB). "PSG". For a healthy, shared, sporting future. All elected representatives of our group will sit in the Bundestag wearing tracksuits and will be easily recognizable by everyone. And maybe we will even have the chancellor and jog lightly and casually through history. Wake up. Because now new tracks have to be laid so that the high-speed trains that have been ordered can run. Bridges have to be repaired so that we can travel safely and the German army has to be equipped for combat readiness as quickly as possible. Housing has to become affordable, etc. The impression is that little has happened in the last two decades. That is why there is so much to do that sport and culture will unfortunately fall by the wayside. Once again. About the author: Sigi Heinrich The award-winning sports journalist (including winner of the German Television Prize, the Bavarian Sports Prize, nominated for the prestigious Grimme Prize), author, long-time sports editor of the Süddeutsche Zeitung and commentator at Eurosport since 1989, devotes his weekly column to the entire diversity of sport. Sometimes with a smile, sometimes thoughtful or deliberately provocative. There should be something for everyone.

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Sigis Spitzen | Sport falls by the wayside

Sport was barely mentioned in any of the discussions before the federal election in Germany. Our columnist Sigi Heinrich has thought about this and sees it as a missed opportunity to generate more voters and also to give sport a better status.

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