Germany mourns the loss of a ski legend

The winter sports world mourns the loss of Walter Demel. The former cross-country skier died in mid-April at the age of 87, and his death has only just become known.

For two decades, Demel was one of the strongest cross-country skiers in the world, but always remained humble. A few years ago he said: “If there weren’t any better players, you won.” A slight understatement of his ability, because: the Bayreuth native took part in the Winter Olympics four times, and in 1972 he carried the German flag at the opening ceremony in Sapporo, Japan the stadium.

Six years earlier he had won the bronze medal over 30 kilometers at the World Championships in Oslo. Curious: Demel was a trained roofer and only got into the winter sports circus at the age of 22 – to nevertheless become German champion 40 times.

For his sporting achievements, the Bavarian received the Silver Laurel Leaf in 1964, the highest honor for athletes in Germany. Even after the end of his career, Demel remained true to his sport, worked from 1978 to 1985 as a cross-country skiing coach for the Bavarian Ski Association and was also a cross-country skiing specialist there from 1982 to 1987.