Normally I would say the German skaters shouldn't complain compared to other western countries. Many people compare with former Eastern Germany where Elite sports have been paid completely by government. For national team members still everything is paid by the federation if you use the federations infrastructure, but this year they cut the travel costs of the home coach. If the fed wouldn't have money this would be fine. But I think the real problem is that Germany has only 17 senior elite sportler in their national team and at least the same amount of full time overhead. The DEU is a stand alone Fed with 3 presidents, a managing director, a sports director a couple of fully paid national coaches, nobody is training with, and so on and so on. And all this staff is travelling around the world and the skater have to go to major events without their coaches.
On one hand I don't understand the German skaters expectation to get everything paid including very expensive training locations, this should be in their responsibilty, looking for sponsors etc.
On the other hand I agree when they are upset for what the German Fed is waisting money.
On one hand I don't understand the German skaters expectation to get everything paid including very expensive training locations, this should be in their responsibilty, looking for sponsors etc.
On the other hand I agree when they are upset for what the German Fed is waisting money.