Column | Sinner's happy choice

Finally more than just a glimmer of hope after the moderate Performance at the Olympic Games in Paris (a downward trend, with 10th place in the medal table). Germany finished second at the World Games in Chengdu, China, with 17 gold medals, 14 silver, and 14 bronze. Sure, the hosts were unbeatable. A matter of honor. But what is that really worth?

None of the sports contested there are part of the Olympic program, which is why many major sporting nations like Australia, the USA, and Japan were represented by only small teams. But the Olympics aren't everything. Fortunately, though. Fistball was played, Latin dance was a hit, and finswimming and lifesaving are part of the offering, along with karate, bowling, and billiards. Canoe polo is also a hit. Germany won the men's final against Italy 3-1, and the German women defeated the New Zealand canoeists 4-0. There's even a Bundesliga (Bundesliga) for this sport, as well as European and World Championships. Many of the teams could also try their luck in the Olympic disciplines, especially since there's also boatercross and extreme kayaking, where you can drive into your opponent's boat to stop or hinder them. It's not ideal, but the IOC brass likes it because, they believe, it appeals to young people.

The athletes in China enjoyed the spotlight. © APA/afp / JADE GAO

But fortunately, not everyone is eyeing the Olympic rings. They practice the sport they enjoy most of all. And for that, they accept many disadvantages. They receive little support. In Germany, 13 million euros are allocated for non-Olympic sports. Olympic disciplines have 97 million. For this reason alone, the personal commitment of the participants in the "World Games" is unusually high. From both a time management perspective (their vacations are sacrificed) and financial perspective, everyone should be envious of the Olympic athletes. They aren't, even if there's the occasional slight jab pointing out the difference. Chance often directs It's always a very personal path that leads to a particular sport. Parental background is important. Often, children follow in their ancestors' footsteps. Then, of course, it all depends on what's available locally. A native of East Frisia will rarely become a great skier. But they can become a cable wakeboarder, for example. This is offered at the World Games. And then, perhaps, a personal dream, along with talent for one sport or another, is also decisive. Much, however, is and remains left to chance and a sense of the right moment when setting the course for the future. There aren't many Sinner types who possess an abundance of different talents. The South Tyrolean could – possibly – have become a good skier, because he showed flashes of his talent on the slopes as an eight-year-old. Then he became a tennis player after all. Perhaps he would have also been a good volleyball player, or even a basketball player (he's tall enough, after all).

Sports like powerboating are showcased at the World Games. © APA/afp / JADE GAO

Former world-class biathlete Ole-Einar Björndalen also had a choice. He certainly would have had a career as a cyclist, too. He's certainly proven that on a few occasions. Sinner and Björndalen ultimately drew the right lot for themselves when it comes to their sport. Of course, one can plan careers and perhaps choose a sport very early on that will not only be fun but also economically profitable, although there are now also excesses that should be banned.

A major US sporting goods company has now given an eight-year-old Brazilian boy a kit contract. Eight years! The little boy plays for Flamengo's youth team and is naturally considered a child prodigy because he scores goals like crazy. Most of the time, however, it's often a combination of factors that lead to the practice of a particular sport. You go kicking around with your friends. Or play fistball if your club offers it. Then you end up at the "World Games" if you've achieved a certain level of proficiency in this non-Olympic sport. If your hometown club offers hockey, for example, that could lead to the Olympic Games. Fortunately, not everything can be planned or predicted. Boule could be our chance By the way, the door to the World Games is open to many, including all of us. Still is. I'm thinking of boules or pétanque. The national sport in southern France, especially in Provence, was also among the sports offered in Chengdu. The boules can be thrown even in old age (even with an artificial hip, for example), with their very special twist, although a distinction is important, very important. Boules is the recreational sport (with a pastis between rounds), pétanque the competitive version. The rules are the same, and the social aspect is also not unimportant. Training for the next World Games should start now, though, because pétanque, in many different forms, will be back on the program in Karlsruhe in four years. In Germany, there are already 200 clubs and 25.000 members. So, boules could actually be an Olympic sport. It's played worldwide. Eight national associations won medals in Chengdu. But it's nice that it isn't.

About the author: Sigi Heinrich The award-winning sports journalist (including the German Television Award, the Bavarian Sports Award, and a nominee for the prestigious Grimme Prize), a trained sports teacher, longtime sports editor of the Süddeutsche Zeitung, and a commentator for Eurosport since 1989, devotes his weekly column to the entire spectrum of sports and enjoys exploring unfamiliar territory. Sometimes with a smile, sometimes thoughtfully, or even deliberately provocatively. There should be something for everyone.

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Column | Sinner's happy choice

The World Games in Chengdu, China, demonstrated just how broad the range of sports can be, even beyond the Olympic rings. Our columnist Sigi Heinrich tries to figure out how one ultimately ends up in one's favorite sport.

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