The upcoming DOSB members’ assembly on December 7, 2024, in Saarbrücken is pivotal, reflecting dissatisfaction with President Thomas Weikert’s leadership. Key issues include a leadership crisis following Torsten Burmester’s dismissal, financial losses, and challenges in securing Olympic hosting. Political tensions complicate sports funding laws, while the DOSB aims to adopt a Safe Sport Code. With a vice-presidential election approaching, candidates Jörg Ammon and Martin Engelhardt emerge as potential successors amid ongoing financial uncertainties.
Current Challenges Faced by the DOSB Presidency
The upcoming members’ assembly of the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) on Saturday morning, December 7, 2024, in Saarbrücken, is shaping up to be a critical event. With numerous representatives from various sports associations and state sports federations set to convene, the atmosphere is charged with urgency and discontent regarding the current leadership under President Thomas Weikert. Stefan Klett, President of the North Rhine-Westphalia State Sports Federation, has expressed concerns, stating that “this DOSB leadership has unfortunately not lived up to expectations overall.” A notable point of contention is the perceived lack of engagement with top political entities.
Klett has cautioned against rushing into leadership changes during the assembly but is already eyeing the early federal elections scheduled for February 23. “We need to evaluate if the dynamics with the new government and DOSB leadership remain compatible,” Klett remarked, emphasizing the need for a strategic realignment of German sports post-election.
Escalating Leadership Crisis and Future Directions
The DOSB is currently grappling with a significant leadership crisis following the dismissal of Torsten Burmester, the former chairman of the board, after he announced his candidacy for mayor in Cologne. This development has led to pressing inquiries about when the presidency became aware of Burmester’s intentions, the financial implications of his contract extension until 2029, and who will assume leadership in the interim.
Volker Bouffier, the former Prime Minister of Hesse, has been appointed to temporarily fill the board’s leadership gap until June 30, 2025. The DOSB’s leadership is also facing criticism for the mishandling of the 2029 World Games bid, admitting to a “lack of professionalism” in the selection process that awarded the event to Karlsruhe. Meanwhile, the city of Hanover, which lost the bid, is demanding reimbursement for its application expenses totaling 80,000 euros—a matter that remains unresolved.
As the DOSB contemplates bringing the Olympic Summer Games to Germany, it faces delays in its timeline, opting instead to initiate a “continuous dialogue” with the International Olympic Committee (IOC). This move signals the DOSB’s official interest in hosting the Olympics, with no definitive year established yet.
IOC President Thomas Bach has cast doubt on Germany’s chances, stating that for any Olympic ambitions to materialize, the government must first address its visa policies, particularly the restrictions currently in place for athletes from Russia and Belarus.
Potential host cities under consideration include Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, Leipzig, and the Rhine-Ruhr region. The DOSB has shifted focus from a multi-city application to a model prioritizing a single Olympic village to accommodate as many athletes as possible, which could eliminate Leipzig and Hamburg from contention.
The political landscape in Berlin is turbulent as lawmakers discuss the contentious sports funding law, with its passage before the February elections appearing unlikely due to internal disagreements. Jörg Ammon, a spokesperson for the state sports federations, has previously urged the assembly to prioritize the sports funding law alongside discussions about the new elite sports agency, raising questions about the DOSB’s future role in this framework.
Despite these challenges, the DOSB has achieved some success with the proposed Safe Sport Code aimed at addressing violence and discrimination in sports, although it has faced criticism regarding accountability measures for legal entities. Stefan Klett advocates for the swift adoption of the Safe Sport Code, emphasizing its importance in safeguarding children, the most vulnerable population in sports.
The DOSB reported a financial loss of 789,000 euros in 2023 and anticipates reduced funding from the IOC. With pending financial obligations from Hanover and potential severance payments, as well as uncertainties surrounding promised federal funding, the financial outlook remains precarious. However, an increase in club memberships and a planned rise in membership fees starting January 1, 2025, could provide some financial relief, projecting an additional 2.75 million euros in revenue.
As the assembly approaches, the DOSB also faces a vice-presidential vacancy following Oliver Stegemann’s resignation in June, with elections set to take place in Saarbrücken. Jörg Ammon and Martin Engelhardt are emerging as frontrunners among the five candidates vying for this crucial position.