DOSB: Continue with President Weikert - and a clear yes to the Olympic plans

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Thomas Weikert

Photo: Tom Weller / dpa

Thomas Weikert has been confirmed in the office of DOSB President for four years.

In addition, the General Assembly in Baden-Baden unanimously voted in favor of the Olympic strategy.

Weikert, 61, received 434 of the 438 votes from the delegates in Baden-Baden.

Last year he followed Alfons Hörmann, who, after serious allegations in an anonymous letter ("Culture of Fear"), no longer competed.

The lawyer from Limburg was the only candidate for the highest honorary post in organized German sport.

Until November 2021 he was President of the World Table Tennis Association ITTF and had previously led the German Table Tennis Association (DTTB).

He should bring the Olympic Games to Germany

Under his leadership, the dream of the Olympic Games in Germany should finally become reality.

The strategy process, which, after debates in 2023 and a public vote in 2024, is to culminate in a new attempt to bring summer or winter games to Germany, received a strong boost: the members unanimously gave the »go«.

The goal is set, the outcome is open.

When, where and why – these questions still have to be clarified.

For this, the DOSB relies on persuasion: The population should recognize the added value of a sustainable major event.

At the general meeting, Weikert asked for forgiveness on behalf of the DOSB Presidium for the "distrust and suspicions against individuals" in the past.

At the same time, he campaigned for more openness in critical disputes within the association.

The previous presidium had brought several court cases – including against DOSB members and journalists.

Anonymous letters also to the new Executive Committee

After the "letter affair" in which Weikert's predecessor Alfons Hörmann was accused of a "culture of fear" and which heralded the end of his term of office, the new presidency and the executive board were also confronted with anonymous letters.

The ethics committee dealt with the allegations and saw no misconduct.

Chairman Thomas de Maizière spoke of "a difficult balancing act".

On the one hand, it should be possible to present criticism with an "open face, name and house number", on the other hand, there is in some cases a legitimate interest in anonymity.

The Commission is discussing with the Presidency and the Executive Board how anonymous letters should be dealt with in the future.