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Dennis Schröder is campaigning to become the first black flag bearer to take on an ambassadorial role. © DPA Deutsche Presseagentur
(sid). Who is carrying the German flag? There is no question that is electrifying German sports just before the Olympics. The election campaign of the six nominees is in full swing, and now the first prominent supporters are coming out of hiding.
“We will support Alexandra Popp with everything we have, that’s clear,” said Horst Hrubesch. The national women’s football coach makes no secret of the fact that he is keeping his fingers crossed for his captain. Popp stands for women’s football, is a highly deserving player and the type for the honorable and prestigious position. In the women’s team, Popp is joined by Olympic equestrian champion Jessica von Bredow-Werndl and judo ace Anna-Maria Wagner. Like Popp, these two are also likely to mobilize their sports. The “Bild” newspaper named Bredow-Werndl the “favorite” probably also because of the huge equestrian community. The mother of two herself said: “I don’t know whether I’ll be allowed to do it in the end, but the feeling must be indescribable.”
The men’s competition should be no less exciting. In addition to sports shooter Christian Reitz, two superstars will be in the running: Olympic tennis champion Alexander Zverev and basketball world champion Dennis Schröder. Showmaster Kai Pflaume and national soccer player Antonio Rüdiger have also been drumming up support for the latter. “Support our brother,” wrote the Real Madrid star on Instagram – a call that is aimed at athletes and fans alike. On the one hand, the 470 athletes of Team D will choose their flag bearers, on the other hand, anyone can take part. Voting is open until Sunday evening. At the end, the percentages of the two elections will be added together – the woman and the man with the highest score will then carry the German flag at the opening ceremony on July 26 on the Seine in Paris.
Schröder is campaigning to be able to take on a kind of ambassadorial role as the first black flag bearer for Germany. “If a dark-skinned person who came from the bottom and had all these challenges with a migrant background and skin color were to carry the flag, I could represent a cosmopolitan, modern and colorful Germany,” Schröder told the “Braunschweiger Zeitung”: “I could thereby show as a best example what incredible opportunities and possibilities this country can offer all children and people.”
Schröder would be only the second flag bearer without previous Olympic experience after Dirk Nowitzki (2008). “Germany is ready – and so am I,” said Schröder, who will receive the Silver Laurel Leaf from the hands of Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Wednesday. The highest state award for success in sport could be followed by the honor of flag bearer a good week later.
2024-07-16 18:09:09
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