Column | Sinner and Wierer have the choice

It always hides very well. It probably uses thick bushes and paths away from paved roads. Perhaps caves or it roams around in completely impassable terrain. Wet meadows, perhaps, or even swampy, dangerous terrain. Or is it afraid of the light and only dares to come out of its hiding place at night in the dim light of the moon? Haven't we already seen its silhouette on the lakeshore in the swirling mist after a night of drinking? Wasn't there something? Whatever the case: it is unfathomable. The jack of all trades. A completely unexplored specimen. Even rarer than the Yeti, which only Reinhold Messner has ever seen.

The Bavarians also have a counterpart, the Wolpertinger. A mythical creature, of course. A rabbit with antlers and eagle wings. It would be very similar to the jack of all trades, because it would be used in just as many different ways. The meat could be made into a roast, the antlers into a hunting knife (a handle for a knife that belongs in the side pocket of leather trousers, although this has become increasingly difficult in view of the new knife regulations). And the wings could be used to make a beautiful hat decoration. That's not enough for a pillow. The animal rarities are a synonym for undisguised greed without investing too much. All in one go.

A lot can quickly be too much Football, for example, once again believes that it is on the best way to becoming a monetary perpetual motion machine. The new Champions League is to be a money-making machine. More, more, more. Always more. But, as we have already seen, it doesn't come for free. Due to so-called load management, Bayern coach Kompany initially put the brilliant Jamal Musiala on the bench for the match against Aston Villa. To watch at first. So it seems that he needed a break, which would be no surprise. Munich have been playing brilliantly recently, scoring 30 goals in seven matches. Musiala, the dribbling king, was always the driving force, scorer, assist provider and even gave the German national team a boost. His substitution after the break came too late. Munich lost. So did Real Madrid.

Jannik Sinner has decided not to take part in the Laver Cup. © APA/afp / WANG ZHAO

In Lille. Atletico Madrid lost in Lisbon. RB Leipzig lost to Juventus Turin. Despite twice taking the lead. All the bottles are empty, as Giovanni Trapattoni once put it so clearly in the headlines. Even now - and the season is still young - the first signs of wear and tear are already visible. The multitude of sporting disputes are taking their toll. Everywhere. The ice hockey season has long since started (was there ever a break?), and the tennis stars have only recently started a discussion about their intense program. The Laver Cup in particular, an event outside the ATP points, was criticized. Jannik Sinner wisely decided not to take part. Less can sometimes be more, although from a purely economic point of view, given his starting position, a cancellation does not necessarily mean the loss of his livelihood. Ultimately, it is always and almost without exception about taking advantage of the income opportunities that arise. The differences are of course enormous. Sinner and Dorothea Wierer cannot be compared. Compared to the number one in tennis, the biathlete is in a poorhouse.

New rules, but also more money And yet the International Biathlon Union (IBU) has recognised the signs of the times and increased the prize money. The size is of course manageable. A World Cup victory still brings €15.000, and second place now brings €9000. A thousand has been added. In total, the IBU distributes around ten million euros to the athletes. Including the World Championships. But even the small improvement in financial support is not free, no, not for free for the ski hunters. They have to accept that in future they will no longer be able to choose their start numbers according to their personal wishes. This is causing discontent among many.

Understandably. But in my experience after 25 years as a biathlon commentator at Eurosport, the step was necessary because very often the excitement had completely disappeared after the best athletes with the top starting numbers. And with that, the ratings of the broadcasters fell, which also ensure with their TV contracts that the association is in a position to offer prize money at all. With the new starting rules, the IBU has found an acceptable control device, in my opinion. Incidentally, this was also after discussions with the Athletes' Commission. It was to be expected that such changes would initially cause uncertainty. But one thing is also clear: the one-size-fits-all solution is and will remain a pious wish. Anyone who wants a lot, or simply more than before, has to make compromises. The sponsors are not patrons. They want something in return for their investments. After all, everyone always has the option of taking a break from the constant spiral. With the associated loss of income, of course. Bet that this is hardly used?

About the author: Sigi Heinrich The award-winning sports journalist (including winner of the German Television Prize, the Bavarian Sports Prize and nominated for the prestigious Grimme Prize), author, long-time sports editor of the Süddeutsche Zeitung and commentator at Eurosport since its founding in 1989, devotes his weekly column to the entire diversity of sport and also likes to venture into unfamiliar territory. Sometimes with a wink, sometimes thoughtfully or deliberately provocatively. There should be something for everyone.

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Column | Sinner and Wierer have the choice

The sheer length of the schedule in almost all sports forces the protagonists everywhere to think about their stakes. Our columnist Sigi Heinrich certainly sees the conflict between income, the associated burden and also rule changes that appeal to the public.

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