German speed skater Fridtjof Petzold has been removed from the national team and barred from competitions following his public criticism of the German Skating Federation (DESG).
According to a report by the German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung, Petzold expressed dissatisfaction with the DESG after his recent race in Milan, calling the federation’s support during the Olympic Games inadequate and referring to a structural problem within the organization. In response, the DESG announced that Petzold would not be allowed to compete or represent Germany for the time being. This situation puts Petzold’s participation in the upcoming World Allround Championships on March 7 in Thialf at risk.
DESG chairman Mathias Große commented on the matter by criticizing Petzold’s approach, saying that while athletes may voice their opinions, such criticism should be made internally, not publicly. Große further stated that athletes who do not perform or follow the rules should not complain openly.
The tensions within the German skating community are broader than this incident. Athlete representative Hendrik Dombek has previously voiced concerns about the federation’s governance, calling for greater mutual respect and clearer communication between skaters and management. Former coach Peter Mueller has also publicly criticized Große’s leadership of the federation, highlighting ongoing challenges within the organization.
