Germany ponders its Olympic future after disappointing Paris medal tally
When the German chancellor, Olaf Scholz, went to congratulate the kayaker Max Rendschmidt after his team’s gold medal-winning run in the K-4 500m sprint in Paris on Friday last week, the exchange – according to onlookers – was curt. Rendschmidt, though euphoric about his Olympic win, used the opportunity of meeting Scholz to speak frankly about the challenges he and his fellow athletes are facing, including budget cuts and poor training conditions. He told the chancellor his colleagues did not want to be taken seriously only because they had enjoyed success. “It’s important that politicians are not just here because they’re thinking about the next election,” Rendschmidt said after the meeting. The athlete’s dispirited mood – despite his personal success – was reflected elsewhere, as Team Germany’s position in the medals table prompted soul-searching over how the country can get its performance back on track. Germany came 10th in the table, beaten not only by European heavyw...