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Germany’s Elite Sports Faces New Definition of Success: Balancing Medals with Social Value

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Germany’s Elite Sports Faces New Definition of Success: Balancing Medals with Social Value
Germany’s Elite Sports Faces New Definition of Success: Balancing Medals with Social Value
Olaf Tabor, Head of Elite Sports at the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB), stated, “We want clean, safe sports that benefit our people while fostering top-level athletic performance.” For Tabor, the challenge lies in aligning sports and social goals without neglecting international aspirations: “We’re talking about sports that succeed globally—benefiting both organized sports activities and society.”

 

 

The study also reveals a shifting definition of success. While 92% of respondents still see personal bests and victories as key metrics, there is broad recognition of athletes who excel without winning medals—such as those returning from injuries or parental leave. Eighty-one percent value athletes who raise awareness of their sport, and 69% view post-break comebacks as a form of success.

 

Maximilian Klein, Deputy Managing Director of Athleten Deutschland, believes these findings call for a new strategic framework for Germany’s elite sports. “Society has diverse expectations for high-level sports. The key question now is: which sports and social goals should be pursued with public funds, and how to achieve them effectively.”

 

This shift reflects a growing emphasis on “holistic success” in German sports—one that honors athletic achievement but also values resilience, social contribution, and inclusivity. As the country rethinks its model, the focus is increasingly on creating a system where sports thrive not just on podiums, but as a force for broader societal good.

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