Cycling: Paraplegic bird wins “Best 2018” vote

Kristina Vogel, Olympic track bike champion with paraplegia after a severe training fall, has been awarded the title “Best 2018” by the athletes of Deutsche Sporthilfe. The decision was announced on Saturday evening in Marbella, Spain. The election was held among a total of 4000 athletes sponsored by Sporthilfe.

The 27-year-old won the vote against the double Olympic champions Eric Frenzel (Nordic combined) and Laura Dahlmeier (biathlon). With this award Vogel succeeds Johannes Vetter, who triumphed last year.

The honour in Spain was followed by Vogel via live-switch. In addition to the award, she will also receive a smart EQ, which the company will adapt to her special needs together with the athlete.

In June, during training on the Cottbus track, Vogel had collided with another rider at high speed and, among other things, had suffered a severe spinal injury. A few weeks ago, the woman from Erfurt made her diagnosis of paraplegia public.