German speed skater Fridtjof Petzold has been suspended from the DESG national team after publicly criticizing the association and the national coach. The 28-year-old, who participated in the Milan Olympics, complained about lack of support and a strained relationship with the coach. Association president Matthias Große justifies the suspension as a breach of cadre criteria.
Fridtjof Petzold is among Germany's top speed skaters. The 28-year-old finished second at the World Cup in Calgary and achieved multiple top-ten placements. He participated in the Olympic Winter Games in Milan, where German speed skating has few athletes with comparable achievements.
Despite these performances, Petzold has been removed from the DESG national team for the rest of the season and suspended. The reason: During the Olympics, he voiced criticism to journalists about insufficient support from the association and a strained relationship with the national coach. He also hinted that advancement in the association depends on maintaining a good relationship with president Matthias Große.
Große responded harshly. He dismissed Petzold before the press as "one who brings no performance" and suspended him provisionally. He cited a "breach of cadre criteria" due to the public criticism. This followed an incident where Große excluded two journalists from a press conference and publicly attacked them.
Petzold added in Milan: "Everyone is naturally afraid to say something, because they are worried about their job, that they might lose it." This statement highlights fears of repercussions within the association. The measure against Petzold is criticized in a column as the handling of criticism in German speed skating, turning an autonomous athlete into a disempowered one.