Olympic Games: Mixed German Paris interim conclusion: “Room for improvement”

Germany’s Olympic team has drawn a mixed conclusion halfway through the competitions in Paris. “Team D’s performance is good. However, we have to admit that we still have room for improvement in terms of our track record, if you measure it in terms of medals,” said Olaf Tabor, the German chef de mission in the French capital. In the first seven days of competition after the opening ceremony, German athletes won two gold, three silver and two bronze medals. Another medal is already assured thanks to boxer Nelvie Tiafack.

Tabor emphasized that in addition to the medals, there were also a number of other top places, some of which were just short of winning a medal. This also shows that the Germans are performing “at the top international level” at these Summer Games, said the official of the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB).

Great expectations for the second half of the Olympics

Looking at the competition calendar for the second half of the Olympics, Tabor was optimistic that there would still be some German successes. Two thirds of the events in which German athletes are expected to have the best chance of winning a medal are still to come, Tabor said. He listed rowing, horse riding, gymnastics, athletics, open water swimming and track cycling, among others. He also pointed out that at least eight of nine German teams had reached the knockout phase in the fight for medals. “There’s still more to come for us.”

Regardless of Germany’s medal haul, the head of mission was enthusiastic about the season highlight in Paris. He spoke of “great games with a great atmosphere”. There had already been great expectations beforehand, when the Olympic plans with the competition venues in many iconic Parisian locations and squares were announced. “Now we are here and we have noticed that everything is even better when it is full of people,” reported Tabor.