Crisis in a modern pentathlon: power struggle endangers athletic career!

Crisis in a modern pentathlon: power struggle endangers athletic career!

Berlin, Deutschland - Modern pentathlon in Germany is currently experiencing an unprecedented crisis that questions the future of sport. Athletes have had no way to take part in competitions for months, and the funding is frozen. A power struggle at the head of the German Association for Modern Pentathlon (DVMF) is the main reason for this predicament. The presidential election in November 2024 ended with a patient Situation of 30 to 30 votes between the incumbent Michael Dörr and Vice President Jan Veder. This has plunged the DVMF into a deep legitimation crisis, which heavily burdened the communication of the association management, since this is now only done via lawyers, reports rbb24 .

At the end of April, two independent association days took place, in which both Veder and Barbara Oettinger were elected at the top of the DVMF. A dispute over the legitimacy of the two guided tours broke out. While Oettinger is supported by athletes such as Patrick Dogue and Rebbeca Langrehr, Veder is planning a fundamental restructuring, which includes the closure of the base in Potsdam and the opening of a new one in Bonn. The athletes split these divergent plans in two camps, which further tightened the already tense situation.

financial consequences and future prospects

The current situation has serious financial consequences. Deutsche Sporthilfe has hired its support, and federal funding that should be up to 758,363 euros for 2025 have also been held back since January. Payments for competitive sports staff were also stopped in May. Dogue warns: "If the situation is not solved quickly, many athletes have to give up their career." However, a quick agreement between the hostile camps seems unlikely; Dogue sees only a judicial decision as a possible solution.

The crisis in the DVMF is in a sharp contrast to the previous success of the modern pentathlon in Germany. In addition to the medal -forged past, athletes have a gold medal from Lena Schöneborn at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, which is of great importance for the association. The modern pentathlon includes the disciplines of fencing, swimming, riding, running and shooting and has been very popular since its introduction in 1912 as an Olympic sport, as on Germany is explained in detail.

A look at the athletes

The athletes are under considerable pressure in this difficult time. Daily training includes up to three disciplines and is an integral part of their professional and academic career for most. The national coach Kim Raisner is confident about the medal opportunities of athletes such as Lena Schöneborn and Annika Schleu, who have to qualify for the upcoming Olympic Games in order to continue the heritage of modern pentathlon in Germany. A report on the modern pentathlon will be broadcast on N24 on June 30, 2025 at 6:25 p.m. and is another opportunity to put the challenges and success of this sport in the light.