Germany's Christina Schwanitz in action in the shot at the IAAF World Indoor Championships (© Getty Images)
Following last weekend’s National Indoor Championships, the German Athletics Federation (DLV) has selected a contingent of 21 athletes (11 women, 10 men) for this year’s IAAF World Indoor Championships in Sopot, 7-9 March.
The last time Germany sent such a large team to the World Indoor Championships was back in 1999 when 24 athletes represented Germany in Maebashi. Germany sent fewer than 20 athletes to the following seven editions of the championships.
“With a total of 21 athletes, 14 of whom are currently among the top 12 in the world in their events, we will be traveling with a hopeful and confident German team to Sopot,” said DLV sports director Thomas Kurschilgen.
At 29, former European long jump champion Christian Reif is the oldest member of a team that contains several up-and-coming athletes.
“With Yasmin Kwadwo , Gregor Traber and Kai Kazmirek, we have young athletes who will get the chance to gain international experience on their road to Rio,” said head coach Idriss Gonschinska.
Shot putters David Storl and Christina Schwanitz are among Germany’s top medal hopes, along with pole vaulters Malte Mohr and Silke Spiegelburg.
DLV for the IAAF
German team for Sopot:
MEN
60m: Lucas Jakubczyk, Alex Schaf
1500m: Homiyu Tesfaye
60m hurdles: Erik Balnuweit, Gregor Traber
Pole vault: Malte Mohr
Long jump: Christian Reif
Shot put: David Storl
Heptathlon: Pascal Behrenbruch, Kai Kazmirek
WOMEN
60m: Yasmin Kwadwo, Verena Sailer
400m: Esther Cremer
60m hurdles: Nadine Hildebrand, Cindy Roleder
High jump: Marie-Laurence Jungfleisch
Pole vault: Silke Spiegelburg
Long jump: Sosthene Moguenara
Shot put: Christina Schwanitz, Josephine Terlecki
Pentathlon: Claudia Rath
