First day of school at Oberhofer Sportgymnasium: Ritual for new talents!

First day of school at Oberhofer Sportgymnasium: Ritual for new talents!

The new school year began at the Oberhofer Sportgymnasium (SGO) today, August 12, 2025. The first sounds of the school gong rang as the SGO welcomed its new members into the community of talented athletes. This institution is one of a total of 43 Elite sports schools in Germany and has high expectations of its future students. In order to be accepted, new members must demonstrate both academic and sporting achievements.

A crucial part of the admission process for new students is the exciting admission ritual, which can be somewhat challenging. This year, the new arrivals must endure water and flour showers - a symbolic gesture of the breath of fresh air that comes with the new school year. This ritual helps to strengthen character and create a strong team spirit among the students.

The requirements for the elite school of sports

If we take a step back, the question arises: What makes a school an elite school in sports? According to that DOSB Schools must have at least two federal bases in their immediate vicinity so that they can be included in the recognition process. In addition, access to an easily accessible Olympic base with its services is essential.

Another criterion is a fully-fledged boarding school that meets sport-specific needs. The schools work in a cooperative association with competitive sports centers and boarding schools in order to best prepare talented young athletes for top performance and to preserve educational opportunities at school.

The path to admission

Another important point is that the offer cannot be a local initiative, but rather takes place in coordination with the responsible state ministries for culture and sport as well as the state sports associations. After a probationary period of at least two years in which the school's performance is evaluated, the DOSB can award the rating. Currently 43 schools have been awarded this title.

In addition, there are further admission requirements for the SGO. The new students need a secondary school recommendation and must undergo a basic sports medical examination. The sport-specific criteria, which are examined by the state associations, are also crucial. This ensures that students can achieve excellence not only in school but also in their sport. Your commitment to training and competition over several years is crucial to your chance of a place in the SGO.

The SGO is not only a place of learning, but also a center for elite development. The close connection between school and competitive sport is intended to ensure that no one is left behind in sporting competition and in school training. This combination makes the SGO a unique institution that is committed to the development of young talent and thus makes an important contribution to German competitive sport.