Holidays
Training non-stop? This is how sports stars celebrate Christmas
Nothing comes for free in top-class sport. But at Christmas? Short training breaks are enjoyed wherever possible – whether as a couple at the lake or during a heated game of board games.
Even on the way to the next tournament or a game of “Don’t be angry” under the Christmas tree: For professional athletes, the holidays are a difficult balancing act between contemplation and training. Not everyone has time to celebrate. Seven stars give an insight into how they spend the festival:
The 2024 athlete of the year, rower Oliver Zeidler, is celebrating Christmas twice this year, as the 28-year-old says. “I will spend the evening of the 24th with my family near Munich and then fly to Geneva with my girlfriend the next morning to celebrate Christmas there again.” However, it won’t be a time of pure relaxation: “We’re training non-stop.”
Christmas time as family time
For the 2024 Sportswoman of the Year, Darja Varfolomeev, who was also awarded, the celebration is all about family. They sit “together at the big table, have a nice meal, tell stories about what happened that year,” says the rhythmic gymnast. “Christmas is a good time to celebrate!” There will also be a little time to recover for the 18-year-old: “We’ll work until the 23rd and then again from the 2nd,” says Varfolomeev.
Things could get heated at Christmas for sprinter Gina Lückekemper and partner Stefan Vogel. “Normally my family always plays a lot of board games at Christmas – often “Don’t be angry”, even though I get annoyed every time,” says the 28-year-old with a laugh. “That’s where the ambition comes through.” But there should still be a game: “I still have a score to settle.”
Holidays to recharge your batteries
For Olympic shot put champion Yemisi Ogunleye, the holidays have “tremendous significance.” As a Christian, she spends her time not only with her family but also with the church community. “We also use them very actively to simply slow down and consciously regenerate.” As an athlete, she travels a lot because of the many competitions. A little contemplation is very useful for her: “It’s somehow a source of strength for me too, to recharge my batteries before the year ends.” And she reveals: “My favorite Christmas song is ‘Mary, Did You Know’. That’s a very, very old gospel song.”
The 23-year-old ice hockey player Moritz Seider is experiencing a premiere this year. “It will be the first time that my girlfriend and I are completely alone,” says Seider, who plays for the Detroit Red Wings in the National Hockey League. Together they drive to “a cute little hotel” towards Lake Michigan. The training program will be rather limited. “We play 82 games, so you use every free second to simply regenerate, rest and recharge your batteries.”
Tennis star Alexander Zverev cannot celebrate Christmas at home due to scheduling stress. “You have to think about it,” says the 27-year-old. “We don’t have a single holiday off with the family. None.” He will fly to Australia on December 19th, where the new season traditionally begins around the turn of the year, the United Cup from December 27th and the Australian Open from January 12th.
National soccer coach Julian Nagelsmann, on the other hand, celebrates “as always, always with the family.” The 37-year-old is really looking forward to it. “It will certainly be a nice celebration.” He wishes for the new year: “First of all, health for all my loved ones, for my family, that’s the most important thing.” He will try to get the most out of his sporting achievements. But the fact that everyone is doing well is above all else – “including sporting success.”
dpa
