Athletics DM

Mith clear words, world-class javelin thrower Johannes Vetter criticized the non-participation of some German top athletes in the national championships in Braunschweig. “What kind of message is that when our figureheads fit? Especially for the ‘Germans’, where even the television broadcasts on both days? ”Asked the 27-year-old from LG Offenburg. Vetter did not mention names.

The Olympic champions Thomas Röhler (Speer), who became a father just under a month ago, and Christoph Harting (discus / season structure for Tokyo 2021) are absent from the Eintracht Stadium, as are top runner Konstanze Klosterhalfen and sprinter Gina Lückenkemper, who last Wednesday in Espoo, Finland the season had started. Due to a muscle injury, she was only able to exercise to a limited extent in June.

“Before the fixed date of the German championships there was great concern about sport, a supplementary budget for sport was granted in the BMI in order to make the economic threat controllable. As a result, it is incomprehensible and incomprehensible to me that some athletes cancel the championships for reasons that are not clear, ”said Vetter of the German Press Agency (dpa). “There are some who are still lively competitions before and after the championships – but they don’t show up at the German championships,” complained the 2017 world champion not seeing their idols and asking themselves: Why aren’t they coming? “

The title fights will take place on the weekend in Braunschweig – due to the corona pandemic without spectators. Vetter wants to get his second title after 2017 on Sunday (final 5.30 p.m. / ZDF). The German record holder (94.44 meters) is the favorite in the duel with defending champion Andreas Hofmann (Mannheim).

“The feeling of wanting to give something back”

Contrary to her original plan, hurdle sprinter Pamela Dutkiewicz starts in Braunschweig. “Actually, I had decided to have a completely competition-free season. But my club and the German Athletics Association (DLV) made me aware of the German championship. I had the feeling that I wanted to give something back, “said the Vice European Champion of 2018 and third place in the World Cup in 2017 over 100 meter hurdles in an interview with the” Westdeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung “(Friday).

Dutkiewicz justified their participation with the great effort that the DLV had made for the championships. “Athletics is one of the few sports that has copied the concept from football, now gets television time and can hold a German championship. It’s not about winning with a top time, but about presence: the concept and the athletes. I want to support that, ”said the 28-year-old from TV Wattenscheid. She is “really not particularly in competition mode. I’m just allowing my body to relax. “

Baumann ends his career

Meanwhile, hurdler Jackie Baumann surprisingly ended her athletics career completely at the age of 24. “I’ve lost the fun of competitive sport,” said the 2016 Olympic participant from Rio de Janeiro and two-time German champion of the dpa. The daughter of 5000 meter Olympic champion Dieter Baumann was the clear favorite over 400 meter hurdles in the championship this weekend.

“The mental stress before competitions has always put me under pressure, also with health consequences, for example sleep disorders,” said Jackie Baumann. “The pressure hasn’t dropped after the races either. I found it difficult to feel comfortable in competitive sport. ”According to Jackie Baumann’s mother and trainer Isabelle Baumann, even professional help did not bring any improvement:“ That is only consistent. She is also relieved to have made this decision, “she told the” Schwäbisches Tagblatt “.

Jackie Baumann was German champion in 2015 and 2016. The student teacher has recently shown herself in top form after worries about injuries in recent years. In mid-July, she ran a personal best in 55.53 seconds. Her father Dieter won the Olympic gold in Barcelona in 1992, but always held back in public when it came to his daughter.