Modern pentathlon crisis: power struggle endangers athletes and future!

Modern pentathlon crisis: power struggle endangers athletes and future!

Berlin, Deutschland - Modern pentathlon in Germany faces an existential crisis. Athletes have not been able to take part in competitions for months and the funding is frozen. The reason for this is a power struggle at the head of the German Association for Modern Pentathlon (DVMF). The presidential election in November ended with a patient situation between incumbent Michael Dörr and his challenger Jan Veder. This situation led to massive internal conflicts that put a lot of strain on the athletes.

In April 2025, two independent association days took place, which led to Veder and Barbara Oettinger elected to the top. The dispute between the two sides focuses on access to association resources and is now being led through lawyers. Athlete spokesman Patrick Dogue and Rebecca Langrehr support Oettinger and their plan to maintain the bases in Berlin and Potsdam. Jan Veder, on the other hand, is planning to close the Potsdam base and the opening of a new one in Bonn.

Financial and organizational consequences

The current situation leads to serious financial difficulties. Athletes cannot receive nominations for international competitions because there is a lack of official squadlists. The financial support from Deutsche Sporthilfe was discontinued and the funding of the Federal Ministry of the Interior has been frozen since January 2025. This leads to an uncertain financial future for the DVMF, the possible bankruptcy of which is placed in the room. Patrick Dogue explains that a timely solution to the conflict is unlikely and that a court decision could be necessary.

In this tense location, the athletes are strongly split in their loyalty. While some support the management by Oettinger, another group stops at Veder. These profound clashes in addition to the sporting challenges have a devastating effect on the motivation and preparation of the athletes.

background of the sport and success

The modern pentathlon, which has been part of the Olympic Games for over 100 years, combines five disciplines: fencing, swimming, riding, running and shooting. The history of this sport is characterized by great successes, such as Lena Schöneborn's gold medal at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. Schöneborn is considered a favorite for future competitions, while other athletes such as Annika Schleu also rise in the world rankings.

national coach Kim Raisner is optimistic and sees medal opportunities as given. The daily training of the athletes comprises up to three disciplines, which requires a structured daily routine, which often has to be combined with a job or study. In this critical phase, the actors not only decide on their sporting, but also about their professional career.

modern pentathlon and its athletes are therefore not only faced with sporting, but also with existential challenges. The solution to internal conflicts and the restoration of stable conditions in the DVMF are crucial to ensure the future of this traditional sport. In the coming weeks, special attention will be paid to the negotiations and possible court decisions. More information about the athletes and their training are also provided in the program "Vision Gold", which will be broadcast on N24 on June 30th.

For further backgrounds for this crisis in modern pentathlon, see [RBB24] and [Allgemeine Zeitung]. Details on the sport and the athletes are available on [Team Germany].