"Bro, you ain't even makin' the World Cup Cut" – Marathon ace Hendrik Pfeiffer feels ripped off
Dishonest World Championships: Hendrik Pfeiffer's Marathon Accomplishment Undermined by Fraud
By Anj (a friendly chat)
Hangouts Instagram Email Print Copy Link Marathon runner Hendrik Pfeiffer's dream of representing Germany in the World Cup has been crushed. The German Athletics Association (DLV) has decided to give Germany only two runners, Amanal Petros and Richard Ringer, for the Tokyo Marathon (Sept 13-21).
Pfeiffer is flabbergasted and vents his frustration in an in-depth Instagram post. He thought he'd be making his World Cup debut. "I can't believe the DLV. Beating internationally qualifying standards for the World Cup, and yet they won't stand with me. I reckon it's easier to soar past World Athletic standards than to have your own federation on your side."
Pfeiffer had assumed he'd make the cut with his September Berlin Marathon time of 2:08.20, but he missed the performance confirmation norm by just 30 seconds—a norm he wasn't even aware of at the time. Earlier in January, he clocked 2:07.14, under the later required norm, but for the DLV, it was before the relevant period. Although Pfeiffer would've nabbed a spot via World Ranking, the DLV insists on its own stricter norm. Plus, it was only set retroactively in December 2024.
In a chat with ntv.de, Pfeiffer points out, "The norm's clearly designed for me to just miss it. Looks like it's tailored to me in particular." He adds, "Retroactive norms are a joke. They mess with the dynamics of the qualification process."
Olympic letdown too
Last year, Pfeiffer missed out on the Olympics too. He was initially named as a reserve runner for the Paris Games, ready to step in if needed. Unfortunately, Petros fell ill and dropped out 10 kilometers from the finish. Pfeiffer slammed the association at the time, saying in his podcast "One's Running, Another's following", "It would have been crucial for me to have that info, because it'd have affected how I structured the final week before the race. Running a long run right before the marathon doesn't work, but everything's structured for spontaneous jumping in."
A Chat with the Perf Sport Board
Pfeiffer wants to discuss his issues with the association's Perf Sport Board, particularly Jörg Bügner, who was already targeted by Pfeiffer during the 2024 Olympic controversy. However, "so far, a one-on-one sit-down hasn't been possible," Pfeiffer says. "It looks like the board is petrified of engaging with the athlete." Moreover, Bügner allegedly distances himself from responsibility, telling the athlete's spokesperson that he's not responsible for everything. But the nomination guidelines state that the board is responsible for nominations, so Pfeiffer contests that someone is indeed responsible. He believes someone's trying to hide, too.
Trouble at the World Championships too
In response to inquiries from ntv.de, the DLV refers to a statement published after Pfeiffer's criticism, but explicit follow-up questions and reactions to the allegations remain unanswered. The statement says that the procedure is transparent and offers athletes planning security, but there are no answers to Pfeiffer's accusations.
The DLV's mysterious Operation Norm
The association clings to its own norm timings, yet the circumstances surrounding Pfeiffer leave many questions unanswered, especially since the statement says, "To join the circle of norm fulfillers, numerous opportunities were offered at spring marathons." It implies Pfeiffer, though his name isn't mentioned in the statement.
Pfeiffer, who is a sports soldier with the Bundeswehr, had his foot operated on in March after consultation with the responsible persons. He gave up the European Championship for which he'd qualified and where he would've likely had a high value. But Bügner repeatedly emphasized in their exchanges within the national team that the World Championships were the only event this year relevant to the DLV as that's where funding is distributed through the nation points. So, Pfeiffer decided to go under the knife. "And this operation was carried out with the advice of the national coach and the Bundeswehr, to be in top shape for the fall World Championships." He clarifies that he's not to blame for missing the confirmation norm in April or May after the operation.
The Wings for Life World Run Controversy
On May 4, Pfeiffer participated in the Wings for Life World Run in Munich and won with a distance of 66 kilometers covered—running until a car catches up with a runner at a pre-determined, increasing speed. The association's own website leichathletik.de reports on Hendrik Pfeiffer and his wife Esther (who won the women's race), with a separate article under the headline, "Couple Pfeiffer & Co. inspire at record-breaking 'Wings for Life World Run'". However, Pfeiffer says the association later held his participation against him, allegedly because he preferred a charity event over the possibility of fulfilling the norm.
Pfeiffer wonders if anyone competent is at the helm. "I can't believe there's no expertise in sports leadership here. Participating in such a charity event weeks after an operation is feasible, even winning it, but I couldn't run a top-tier 2:07 hours time so soon after. It's astonishing that they can't grasp that." He also expresses concerns about the consequences of pursuing legal action for both his World Championships participation and his professional future.
Support from fellow Runners
Instagram is buzzing with sympathy from fellow runners across the world, including former German marathon bronze medalist Sonja Oberem, who says that leaving a spot vacant when a qualified athlete is available is pure arbitrariness. State Champion Sabrina Mockenhaupt expressed similar sentiments, writing that it hurts knowing she would've given her all to represent Germany. Richard Ringer, who will be competing for Germany at the World Championships, also shares his disagreement with the decision, saying it's not understandable.
Pfeiffer is considering his options, including possibly filing an injunction to prevent the spot from being given to another nation. He states the urgency, saying it'll be challenging to reverse once the spot's already been handed over. Another option is to challenge the legality of retroactive norms. If it's determined that retroactive norms are illegal, there's a chance improvements could be made for all athletes.
Source: ntv.de
- DLV
- Athletics
- World Championships
- Hendrik Pfeiffer's disappointment in missing the World Cup cut extends to the realm of sports-betting, as bookmakers often factor in qualification status for athlete performances.
- In the world of sports-analysis, the controversy surrounding Pfeiffer's exclusion from the World Championships and the retroactive norms set by the German Athletics Association could spark a significant debate on fairness in athletics competitions globally, at the world championships and beyond.
