Olympia 2018: Hörmann defends possible flag bearer Pechstein

DOSB President Alfons Hörmann has welcomed Claudia Pechstein, a speed skater, to the circle of German flag bearer candidates for the opening ceremony of the Olympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang (9. till 25. February).

“From our point of view, Claudia Pechstein, like the other candidates, fully meets the requirements,” said the boss of the German Olympic Sports Federation to the SID:”That’s why our nomination committee has nominated the five chosen people calmly and carefully.

In addition to Pechstein, combiners Eric Frenzel, tobogganist Natalie Geisenberger, ice hockey star Christian Ehrhoff and ski racer Viktoria Rebensburg will be in the selection. Until 4. February at midnight the public and the German Olympic athletes can vote. Both sides are weighted with 50 percent, the percentages from both camps are added. The 8th. February the flag bearer will be officially introduced.

The DOSB named five points as criteria for the pre-selection. After the success, the role model function was named directly. It was said that “popular athletes” were chosen, who “embody a fair and manipulation-free competitive sport not only with their successes, but also with their personality and attitude”.

Thus, the DOSB once again made it clear that it considers the pitchstone, which was blocked in 2009 because of conspicuous blood tests, to be rehabilitated.