Coach Ditmer moves to Canada: canoe ace Brendel criticizes association

After only a year, three-time Olympic canoeing champion Sebastian Brendel of Potsdam would have to adjust to a change of coach. Andreas Ditmer has announced that he is resigning from his position as Canada’s national coach and will return to Canada as a coach on January 1, 2022, where he previously worked. While Ditmer, a three-time gold medalist at the Summer Games once, made his decision PlayNot wanting to explain BUZZER’s demand, Brendel accepted the impending departure with critical words – under the direction of the German Canoe Association (DKV). According to him, he condemns DKV’s improper handling with Ditmer. “That leaves no room for further cooperation,” says the 33-year-old.

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Ditmer moved from Canada to Potsdam last year to take over as Canada’s national coach from Ralph Welke. Under Welke, who now heads the federal base, Germany won four out of six possible gold medals at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics in that discipline group. Brendel and Tim Hecker of Berlin had two bronze in Tokyo. DKV had a complete set of medals overall Worst performance since 1968 and boycott of Games in 1984 is to be recorded. In Brendel’s eyes, Ditmer is “now unfortunately a pawn”.

Thomas Konitzko refutes this representation. “There is an entire team responsible for the performance in Tokyo. Andreas only had ten months. We do not blame him, ”says the president of the association. “We had very friendly conversations in which it became clear that Andreas sees better opportunities for himself in Canada.”