Goethe

The best Norwegian swimmer has suddenly died in Flagstaff. He was one of the best breast swimmer in the world and a medal hopeful for Norway in London.


My condolences to his family, friends and supporters.


I am really shocked.

• Birgit Fischer, who has competed in Moscow 1980, is aiming to qualify for the Games this Summer. She is most successful German athlete at the Summer Games.

Not sure if she is fit enough, since she in 50 years old now. I think she just wants to come back in the spotlight of the media again.

• Hinrich Romeike, who has won two gold medals in Hong Kong won´t compete with is horse Marius at the German qualification. Marius is now 18 and too old to compete.

So what are prospects for the German team? Since the reunification is now 22 years ago, the DOSB would be happy, if Germany wins nearly the same amount of medals as in 2008. Three teams, that have qualified for the Games four years ago, have failed to qualify for this years Games. On one hand they were too weak, but the Womens Football-Team was beaten by an ASIAN team during the World Cup. But UEFA is the only association, that did not organize a special qualification tournament. So despite being the second best team in the FIFA ranking and beating France 4-2 and Sweden twice after the World Cup, they are not allowed to start in London.

I must confess, the older I get, the less important is it for me, how the German Team performs at the Olympics. There are a handful of athletes I am keeping my fingers crossed (Timo Boll, Brink/Reckermann, Mens Eight,...) but for Britta Steffen or Paul Biedermann I would feel a bit of schadenfreude, if they fail.

Anyone intersted in this duel?

The papers here in Germany are full of it. LeBron James vs. Dirk Nowitzki. Dirk is currently the most popluar sports personality in Germany and everyone is hoping he has more success as in 2006. But Miami is the favourite.