Sports

Germany is hoping to win the right to host the Olympic Games in 2036, 2040 or 2044. On Saturday, the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) is to meet to vote on which of three bids (Munich, Cologne-Rhine-Ruhr, Berlin) to throw its support behind. Munich: Political and public support The motto of Munich's Olympic bid is "For Games with heart and soul." The concept focuses on sustainability, with the 1972 Olympic Park serving as the centerpiece. According to documents published by the bid committee, around 90% of the competition venues are located less than 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) from the Olympic Village. Most of the venues that would be used already exist, with only a few temporary facilities to be constructed. In addition to existing infrastructure, other advantages include Mun...

"Tonight Africa won regardless," said a victorious Dricus du Plessis after submitting Israel Adesanya to retain his middleweight title at UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) 305 in Perth, Australia, on Sunday. In its 31-year history, UFC has become one of the most popular sporting tickets in town. But the build-up to this contest highlighted a part of the world that has largely been ignored in its rise. Former champion Adesanya left Nigeria at the age of 10 to move to New Zealand but feels he represents both nations. That was questioned by du Plessis, of South Africa, in a fraught buildup. "Did those belts ever go to Africa?" Du Plessis asked, also referring to fellow fighters and champions Kamaru Usman and Francis Ngannou, who were born in Nigeria and Cameroon but live in the USA and F...

The form of mixed martial arts (MMA) making its debut at the Asian Games looks almost completely distinct from the visceral brawls of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), which have come to define combat sports in recent years. In order to get a version of the sport into the Games, currently taking place in Nagoya in Japan, adaptations had to be made. The fights take place without the familiar cage, on an open mat and with small boxing-style gloves. While MMA's presence in the Asian Games is significant in itself, it's also a clear effort to get close to Olympic recognition. "We think without the cage we will have a better alignment with the Olympic values and hopefully recognition from the IOC," Galastein Tan, the director general of  Federation of International Mixed Martial Arts ...

When Jürgen Klopp named his oversized squad for Germany for the upcoming international break, a number of other national team coaches will have taken notice. Among them was Mohamed Ouahbi of Morocco, who lamented that he had already had Eintracht Frankfurt striker Younes on his radar since last season. "He had a profile that interested us. I spoke to him on the phone and explained the Morocco project to him—without making any promises," Ouahbi said. If the 23-year-old Ebnoutalib sees any action in the UEFA Nations League over the next couple of weeks, as expected, he will be cap-tied to Germany – and ineligible to play for Morocco in the future. Several players with multiple options This is by no means a unique situation, as a growing number of Germany players in recent years hold oth...

According to the German Football Association (DFB), investment in women's football by professional clubs has risen by 135% over the past six years. In addition, the number of girls in Germany who play the game has increased by about 30% since 2022. Celia Sasic, the former Germany striker who has been in charge of diversity and inclusion at the DFB since 2022, has helped bring women's football more into the spotlight in the boardroom. "We've focused on the issue and established new structures, so that there is now a separate department with its own sports director," the 38-year-old told DW. "In my view, it's important that there are very clear responsibilities for the development and professionalization of this sport." "I believe it's important that [women's football] is recognized with...

Another domestic football season is underway and already, in mid-September, the shortcomings of technology in sport are at the center of the discourse once again. The video assistant referee (VAR) is perhaps the most discussed technology in modern sport. While video replays have been in use for years in sports like American football, rugby or cricket, it has only been a decade since the International Football Association Board (IFAB), the highest regulatory authority in the sport, approved the use of VAR. With artificial intelligence (AI) reportedly reaching dangerous levels of development and technological optimization of people's lives at an all-time high, it is perhaps a pertinent time to consider the use of technology in sport. Has it finally evolved from a supporting role to an all-...

Jürgen Klopp used his first squad announcement as Germany's new head coach to deliver a stirring speech in favor of what he described as "positive patriotism." "I'd like to reclaim the flag for myself — or for us," Klopp said.  "I want us to always wave it in a way that makes no one think: 'What's wrong with you?'" he said. "But, rather, that people simply get the feeling that you're happy and understand how lucky you are to have been born, raised or moved to this wonderful country." This was an apparent reference to the recent state election in Saxony-Anhalt, which the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) won in a landslide victory. Klopp said of the election "that some people probably thought it was OK, while many others thought: 'Good heavens, what's going on there?" The former ...

Jürgen Klopp's Germany era has begun as the new head coach announced his first squad on Thursday. To manage the newly organized international break that sees the September and October pauses merged into one, Klopp selected 44 players splitting them into two squads across the four games. Klopp did add though, that Nico Schlotterbeck, Jamal Musiala and Serge Gnabry might stay for the whole two weeks. Goalkeeper Finn Dahmen is also in both squads as Klopp wants to take a closer look at him. "I want to get to know as many players as possible," said Klopp at the press conference. There is no A or B team. The squads are put together in a way that makes sense on the pitch and in terms of character and experience. "There are few names here that will surprise, but we wanted it to be a part of th...