Ironman Patrick Lange is furious about the Olympics.
Not least due to the weak German Olympic performance in Paris, triathlon star Patrick Lange sees a need for action. In his view, Germany could learn from another nation. The sport, says the Ironman champion, must finally regain its value.
Two-time Ironman Hawaii winner Patrick Lange is annoyed by the development of the sport in Germany. "Something needs to change! We can't look at the medal table every four years and always see that it's going down," Lange told the Frankfurter Rundschau.
At the Olympic Games in Paris, Germany ranked tenth in the medal table with 12 gold, 13 silver, and 8 bronze medals - the worst ranking since reunification. "No one is tackling the problem - and that's what's frustrating me, that the sport seems to be losing value in society," Lange said.
Dilapidated sports halls, slow functionaries
In Lange's view, the problem starts with physical education in schools. "It's the least important subject and often the first to be cancelled. Often, the sports hall is dilapidated, equipment is lacking. Many clubs lack volunteers, whose work has become increasingly thankless. Swimming pools are closing down." The joy of movement is no longer being conveyed, Lange explained. "I find this whole development very sad."
Germany could learn from the USA, Lange said. "Many top athletes from all over the world train and live there because the college system offers the best conditions for world-class performances. Germany urgently needs input for change if we want to remain a leading sports nation. You can tell that this topic really moves - and annoys - me!" said the triathlon star, who moved from Hesse to Salzburg some time ago.
After his career, Lange could imagine passing on his experiences. Anything else, the 37-year-old said, would be "fatal". However, he doesn't plan to join the ranks of functionaries and decision-makers. "My former coach Faris Al-Sultan found out how difficult changes are. As a pragmatic, dynamic type, everything might be too slow for me," Lange said. Al-Sultan was the German triathlon coach from November 2018 to September 2020.
In response to Germany's disappointing performance at the Olympic Games 2024 in Paris, where the country ranked tenth in the medal table, triathlon star Patrick Lange has called for change. He believes that Germany could benefit from adopting some practices from the USA, where top athletes often train and live due to the country's impressive college system.
