Berlin, Germany – The newly appointed Federal Minister for Sports and Volunteering, Christiane Schenderlein, has outlined her plans for the sports sector in Germany. In an interview with the Spiegel, the CDU politician emphasized the importance of investing in infrastructure and youth development, stating, “Olympia is more than a 14-day event. We must show that we are doing something for the next generation and the infrastructure, so that it’s worth it. Then I can imagine the citizens joining in.”
Four cities, Hamburg, Munich, Berlin and Rhine-Ruhr, are currently presenting their concepts for a potential German bid to host the Olympics. When asked about a favorite, Schenderlein maintained a neutral stance, stating, “I’m sure each bid will have its strengths.” She expressed confidence in her ability to bring together different stakeholders and political levels, citing her experience in cultural politics.
Schenderlein’s appointment was a surprise, given her background in cultural politics. She acknowledged the criticism surrounding her lack of experience in the sports sector, but expressed her confidence in her ability to tackle the task. She plans to focus on achieving quick results in the reform of German sports funding, stating, “I believe it’s important that we finally bring this process to a good conclusion.”
While emphasizing the importance of success in sports, Schenderlein noted that medals are not the only goal, saying, “Medaillen sind nicht alles.” However, she believes that a strong performance can foster identification, pride and motivation, ultimately providing a platform for the sport and inspiring the next generation.