Following the excitement of the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris, the spotlight last week turned to the stars of tomorrow. From Monday to Wednesday, 3,500 students from across Germany competed in the autumn finals of "Youth Training for the Olympics & Paralympics" in Berlin, battling for the prestigious title of National Champion.
"Jugend trainiert für Olympia & Paralympics" is the world’s largest school sports competition, with approximately 800,000 participants annually. Established in 1969 by Henri Nannen, Willi Daume, and the German Sports Federation (DSB), in partnership with the magazine Stern and the Conference of Education Ministers, the event aims to give students valuable competition experience while promoting values like teamwork, fairness, and dedication. It also serves as a launchpad for young athletes to transition from school sports to competitive clubs and associations.
The competition has grown into an essential platform for discovering and nurturing new talent. Held each year under the patronage of Germany's Federal President, the event helps pave the way for future Olympians.
This year’s event saw 400 school teams competing in 10 Olympic and three Paralympic sports. On Tuesday, celebrity ambassadors visited the finals, advocating for more sports and physical activity in schools.
Rowing is an essential part
Since 1972, rowing has been a core sport in the program, with the German Youth Rowing Federation (DRJ) managing the event on a national level. School teams qualify through regional competitions in all 16 federal states, with the national rowing finals held every autumn in Berlin.
Reflecting on the success of the rowing competition, Axel Müller from Rowing OC Team noted, "This event gives young athletes the chance to experience high-level competition, meet world champions, and be inspired to pursue their athletic dreams."