Neuner about athletes: “In the end, you are a puppet”

“I'm not the kind of person who always looks for blame on others. But you have to question whether you shouldn't just give the athletes a little more enjoyment," said the 33-year-old double Olympic champion from 2010. "In the end, you're somehow a puppet that has to work. When I watched the Olympics as a child, I thought it must be great to be there.” Ten years ago, Neuner struggled with major motivation problems after the Winter Games. She emphasized that she “really enjoyed her career until the last day,” which she then ended in 2012 after the world title fights in Ruhpolding as a twelve-time world champion. “But after the 2010 Olympic Games I noticed: now something has changed, something has happened.” Neuner: “I no longer had any power over myself” The Olympic hype was “a completely different thing” than the beginning of her unique career with the title triple in Antholz 13 years ago. “I felt like I no longer had any power over myself,” said Neuner. There were also a few disagreements in the team at the time, she revealed. “I just noticed that the mood in the team had completely changed. Everyone was super disappointed and I came in with my gold medal - it wasn't easy. I was happy that my parents were there.” There were also other situations that “disappointed me personally.” At the award ceremony after the sprint gold, her parents stood “at the back outside because they weren’t allowed in, and our officials were in the front row. These are all little pieces of the puzzle that ultimately lead to you thinking: Do I really want to experience this again?” Neuner will be there as a TV expert for ARD at the Biathlon World Championships in Antholz (February 13th to 23rd).

Football

Italy

International leagues

International

Hockey

Tennis

Winter sports

Learn More

Motorsport

Cycling

Watersports

Favorites

Neuner about athletes: “In the end, you are a puppet”

Magdalena Neuner would like to see an Olympic Games where the interests of athletes are more at the center.

Comments (0)