KONNECTIKA event in Cologne addresses athlete mental health

The premiere of KONNECTIKA in Cologne focused on the mental health challenges and social transitions faced by professional athletes. Rather than celebrating sporting records, the event addressed topics such as psychological strain, the search for identity after retirement, gender inequality, and the importance of digital visibility.

Léa Krüger, Vice President of Athleten Deutschland, highlighted the risks athletes face when discussing mental health publicly, noting that openness can sometimes threaten an individual's position on a team or their financial security. Former football World Champion Benedikt Höwedes also discussed the abrupt loss of public attention and identity that often follows the end of a professional sports career.