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German canoe sprint team travelled to Belek, Turkey, for their winter training camp, but without one of the biggest stars of the team Sebastian Brendel. 33-year-old Olympic, World and European Champion tested positive for the corona virus and was forced to take a break. “I only had mild cold symptoms and I hope to be able to start training again soon. But first I have to keep my feet still for a while,” said canoeist.

 

He will work with the new team this season. Lars Kober, himself a 2000 C2 Olympic medallist and previously the head coach of the women’s German kayak team, who also works with Brendel’s teammates Tim Hecker and Conrad Scheibner, came to this position after Andreas Dittmer was no longer in sight of German federation, which Brendel did not support, but supported Dittmer who now left for Canada. The only German medal in canoe in Tokyo was won by Brendel – Hecker.

 

Russian coach Tikhon Zamotin, 33, is also a new part of the staff in Potsdam training base. “It is no secret that I would prefer to continue working with Stifti (Dittmer, editor's note). But I am a professional and accept all new challenges. I'm confident that I can achieve further success with the fresh training impulses, be it from Tikhon or Lars Kober,” emphasizes Brendel.

 

There are two major challenges in 2022 ahead of Brendel – World Championships in Canada and Multisport European Championships in Munich in August.