Huge criticism at the gymnastics festival: Leipzig's sports facilities endanger Olympic rooms!

Huge criticism at the gymnastics festival: Leipzig's sports facilities endanger Olympic rooms!

The International German Gymnastics Festival, which took place in Leipzig in early summer 2025, has produced both sporting enthusiasm and critical voices for the organization and infrastructure of the city. From May 28th to June 1, 2025, the event attracted over 80,000 athletes and numerous visitors, which makes it the largest inner -German sporting event. However, this experience also fell together with strong feedback regarding the sports hall situation.

The participants primarily praised the organization, but expressed concerns about the structural situation, especially in the Brüderstrasse and the small arena of the arena. These circumstances were perceived as harmful to performance. Gymnastics coach Tillmann Schäller criticized the high temperatures in the small arena, while Kerstin Schlegel pointed to the inadequate spectator places, which apart from the fair were not sufficient. The youngsters in particular had a hard time, as Ulrike Steeb, organizer of the showcup of the show jumpers, noted. She criticized the lack of optimal conditions, including moderation and music for the young athletes.

criticism of the sports infrastructure

The infrastructural deficiencies that revealed during the gymnastics festival raise questions regarding Leipzig's application for the Olympic Games 2040. Interior Minister Armin Schuster commented and made it clear that an Olympic acquisition could increase the likelihood of investments in sports facilities in order to improve the conditions for athletes. He found that there was no fundamental opposition to this application in Saxony.

In addition, Iris Spranger, Berlin's Senator for the Interior, emphasized that 95% of the Olympic Games in Paris were financed privately. Nils Dark, Baren European champion, sees potential for competitive sports in such an event. Schuster is aiming for an improvement in German medal placement and sets itself the goal of landing in the medal mirror under the top 5. In order to promote talent promotion, academic trainer training at the University of Leipzig will also restart in the winter semester 2025/26.

sporting highlights and participation offers

The gymnastics festival also offered a variety of sporting competitions, participation offers and demonstrations at different locations in the city. After a break of eight years, Faustball became part of the program again, with competitions on the sports facility of 1. FC Lok Leipzig. A wowball tournament, whose final rounds took place on the Leipzig marketplace, also caused a sensation. The marketplace acted as a central point of contact for fistball enthusiasts, where offers took place every day, led by Julian Scharf.

The interest in the event was great and the participants were able to register online. The participation fee included accommodation, local transport and access to all events. In addition, volunteers were sought to support the hands -on stations and competition lines. These commitment offers attract many interested parties who can register online. Ultimately, the gymnastics festival not only shows the strengths of Leipzig's sport, but also draws attention to necessary improvements in the infrastructure that will be decisive for future events and competitions.