Immediately after her Olympic exit, Laura Ludwig remained tight-lipped. A few hours later, the gold winner from Rio clarified her future.
Rio Olympic champion Laura Ludwig is ending her beach volleyball career after this season. “I want to celebrate a great farewell to the season on the field with Louisa and take that with me. But after that it’s over,” said the 38-year-old in the German House after her elimination in the preliminary round of the Olympic Games in Paris. She wants to play with Lippmann in the European Championships, the German Championships and a tournament at the Rothenbaum in Hamburg, among other things.
“It was relatively spontaneous,” said Ludwig. “Now is just the right time, I think,” she explained, adding somewhat jokingly: “I’m just getting old and have to leave it to the young people.”
Farewell to family and companions
She thanked everyone who accompanied her. “Without my family and my team, none of this would have been possible,” said Ludwig, visibly moved. Her husband and two sons were in the audience. “I’m very emotional right now, but I’m just so happy that I can share this with you today.”
She will always remain loyal to the sport. “I’m just happy to have the energy, capacity and time for something new. But above all, to be there for the family.” For example, preparing her eldest son for school. Afterwards, the song “Angels” by Robbie Williams was played for Ludwig. She waved her arms on stage.
Great career comes to an end
The 38-year-old is saying goodbye after an extremely successful career. She took part in five Olympic Games. In 2016, she won gold in Rio de Janeiro with Kira Walkenhorst. A year later, the two became world champions.
After the birth of two children, Ludwig fought his way to Paris together with former world-class indoor player Louisa Lippmann. The duo failed there on Saturday after a disappointing preliminary round without a win.
Source: Stern
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