Germany's speedskaters leave Olympics empty-handed amid scandal and setbacks
Germany's speedskating team faced a tough Olympic campaign, with no medals secured in individual events. The best results came from Sophie Warmuth and Maira Jasch, who both finished eighth in their respective races. Meanwhile, allegations of irregularities within the German Speedskating Association (DESG) cast a shadow over the competition from the start.
The Winter Games began on a difficult note for 18-year-old Finn Sonnekalb, one of Germany's brightest prospects. He fell ill just before the competition and struggled to recover full strength in time for the 1,500-meter race. Despite his earlier success—setting a German record and youth world record at the start of the season—he failed to medal in either the 1,500-meter or 1,000-meter events. His previous achievements included two World Cup podium finishes, raising hopes ahead of the 2026 Olympics.
The men's 1,500-meter race saw China's Ning Zhongyan take gold with an Olympic record, while American Jordan Stolz claimed silver. Germany's women's team pursuit also missed out on the semifinals, adding to the team's disappointment.
Off the ice, controversy surrounded the DESG after a Sportschau report highlighted alleged irregularities within the organisation. The German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) has since launched a review into the claims. The Chancellor's Office has reportedly been monitoring the DESG for some time, though no further details have been disclosed.
Looking ahead, DESG sports director Nadine Seidenglanz expressed hope for a stronger performance at the 2030 Olympics in the French Alps. She aims to develop a wider pool of medal contenders to improve future results.
Germany's speedskaters left the Games without individual medals, their best finishes being two eighth-place results. The team now faces questions about both athletic performance and organisational governance. With reviews ongoing and a focus on 2030, the DESG will need to address these challenges to rebuild momentum.
