The former coach of speed skater Claudia Pechstein, Joachim Franke, is dead. This was confirmed by the President of the German Speed Skating and Short Track Association (DESG), Matthias Große, on Wednesday, citing family circles. Franke died at the age of 83 in a nursing home in Bernau near Berlin. The “Bild” newspaper had previously reported.
“He was everything to me. Shaped me and made me a world star. I owe him everything. Take care, coach. May heaven have a nice place for you. RIP,” Pechstein said in an association statement. Franke and the now 52-year-old formed a team for 16 years, and together they celebrated five Olympic victories and six world championship titles.
Before his career as a speed skating coach, Franke was an ice hockey player for Dynamo Weißwasser. He won bronze at the European Championships in 1966 with the GDR team. “The DESG family is in deep mourning and salutes the life’s work of an extraordinary trainer. Our thoughts are with his family and wish them a lot of strength in these difficult times,” said Große.
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He was awarded the Federal Cross of Merit in 2002 for his achievements in promoting young athletes. The long-time successful trainer retired in 2007.
