The German Speed Skating and Short Track Association (DESG) is restructuring its personnel and structure almost two years before the Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo (February 6th to February 22nd, 2026).
After disappointing sporting years and three Olympic Games without a German medal, the aim is to counteract this with, among other things, a central training course. The DESG announced this on Monday (February 25, 2024).
Olympic goal at least one medal
“Our tough performance analysis of the last two seasons has shown that now is exactly the moment to give new, necessary, successful impulses. We must do everything we can in the next two years to develop a truly competitive team of athletes “We want to achieve our goal of at least one medal at the next Olympic Games. We will also focus even more on targeted youth work (…) A real performance principle that has really been lost must and will be given top priority again,” said President Matthias Große.
DESG President Matthias Große calls for a return to the performance principle (archive image)
Van der Wulp replaces Müller as national coach
Central, joint courses for the perspective and Olympic squad athletes are intended to strengthen team building and promote a new sense of unity, according to the association. There are also personnel changes: Peter Müller’s contract as national sprint/middle distance speed skating coach will not be extended beyond the agreed period of March 31, 2024. The position will be taken over by Aart van der Wulp, who will settle in Erfurt. From 2008 to 2016, Aart worked, among other things, as a coach at the Dutch association KNSB. Since 2021 he has been the national coach for the German youth team. Andreas Kraus will now take over this position.
Pechstein: “Important milestone”
Claudia Pechstein is particularly pleased about the central courses. “I can’t remember anything like this ever happening in the DESG (…) This is finally a step towards the necessary competitive sports principle. Pooling strengths and not diluting the structures. An important milestone for our – “The association has been without a medal for three Olympic Games,” the five-time Olympic champion is quoted as saying.
Claudia Pechstein sees innovations as a revolutionary step
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