“Have we just become sluggish and lazy?”

When Julian Weber finished fourth in the javelin throw – a discipline in which Germans are traditionally strong – on Sunday in Budapest, it was clear that Germany would not have a podium place at a World Championships in Athletics for the first time. While in Austria a “Salto nullo” in the medal table is more the rule – ÖLV athletes only wrote to three World Cup editions – this negative premiere in the proud neighboring country leads to great lamentation.

This can be read in the boulevard accordingly oversubscribed. “Run! Jump! Throw! Why can’t we do that anymore? When did we forget how to win? Or did we just become sluggish and lazy?” asked the “Bild” to further explain that there used to be bicycles instead There were e-scooters and nobody sat in front of the computer for hours.

The lack of medals “may continue next year in Paris,” said German Athletics President Jürgen Kessing to MDR, announcing that the goal is to get into the top five nations by the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles.

Austria concluded the World Championships with a fifth place for javelin thrower Victoria Hudson and a seventh place for discus thrower Lukas Weißhaidinger. In addition, Susanne Gogl-Walli (18th) reached the semi-finals over 400 meters. “My balance for Budapest is positive with two finals, because there were also chances for medals,” said sporting director Gregor Högler. “With eight athletes, we had a bigger team than we have had in 24 years, and it presented itself powerfully.”