Claudia Pechstein appointed German speed‑skating national coach

Five‑time Olympic champion Claudia Pechstein has been confirmed as the full national coach for all‑round speed skating (Eisschnelllauf) in Germany, taking over the role permanently on 1 August after serving in an interim capacity. The Deutsche Eisschnelllauf‑ und Shorttrack‑Gemeinschaft (DESG) also appointed Polish sprint coach Pawe Abratkiewicz to the sprint‑coach post at the same time.

The appointments come amid a broader structural reform of German speed skating, which includes concentrating training centres in Inzell for distance events and in Berlin for sprint events. DESG president Matthias Große highlighted the moves as a “clear commitment to return to the world‑top level” and noted Pechstein’s “exceptional long‑standing international experience” and her trainer‑academy qualification. Pechstein is also the partner of Matthias Große, a fact that has sparked discussion about possible nepotism within the federation.

The new coaching team is expected to provide athletes with “top‑level support” as the sport seeks to improve performance after recent weak results.