News

German Olympic Champion Ronald Rauhe was considering the end of career for weeks but finally decided to prolong his career for another year. At first, he wanted to put his paddle into the corner after the postponement of the Games as his conscience and young family was burdening him. The 38-year-old multiple European and World Champion then finally decided to give it all in until Tokyo.

 

 

It was missing a first school day of his son Til that hits him the most, "School enrolment is on the final day of the Tokyo Games. So, I can't be there. I'm already sorry, I nibbled on it for a long time," said Rauhe.

 

 

Before deciding to continue with trainings and preparations for his sixth Olympic Games, he needed to make sure many aspects of life are in order. As Süddeutsche Zeitung reports he wanted to make sure his Fanny, niece of legendary Birgit Fischer and 2008 Olympic Champion in K4, can look after the children and does not have to work fulltime when he's in training camps or at competitions. The other important thing were sponsorships contracts which were extended so he can focus to fulfilling his dreams.

 

 

Thomas Konietzko, president of the German Canoe Federation, said, "You could almost say he is the Claudia Pechstein of canoeing. Ronny is a real leader, he is simply an indispensable part of the team."