There was a lot to read about the “politicization of sport” this week. German sport is heavily involved, of course, that’s right. Keyword: super election year! There’s a bit of something at stake there.
That is why the German Olympic Sports Confederation, together with the German Sports Youth (dsj), like the Christian churches and the German Trade Union Confederation, have joined a broad-based alliance.
“In and out of sport, a clear stance against racism, right-wing extremism and anti-Semitism,” promises Benny Folkmann from the dsj. It is important to prepare sports clubs to defend themselves and “to strengthen their backs when it comes to defending our democratic values”. German sport is joining forces, says Folkmann’s statement, as part of a “strong firewall against the extreme right”.
Bernd Schwickerath Published/Updated: Recommendations: 8 Alexander Davydov Published/Updated: Recommendations: 8 Roland Zorn Published/Updated: , Recommendations: 53
And the associated positioning states: “We will therefore continue to clearly contradict inhumane, right-wing populist and right-wing extremist attitudes and actions and will not give them any space in sport.” Listen. Look. Open your mouth. It always helps with sports anyway. But it doesn’t make sport more political than the rest of life. The decisive factor is in the voting booth.
