The German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) does not generally want to decide according to the party register when filling the position of CEO. DOSB President Thomas Weikert told the “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung” that no decision is made based on the question of whether someone is a member of the SPD or CDU. “I only completely exclude one person with membership in the AfD and also one in the extreme left. Otherwise, we welcome anyone who fits the profile,” said the 63-year-old.
After CEO Torsten Burmester was dismissed at short notice, former Hesse Prime Minister Volker Bouffier (CDU) moved to the top of the DOSB. The umbrella organization announced on Thursday that the 72-year-old would temporarily join the board of the umbrella organization for German sports for six months from January 1st. According to the wishes of the executive committee, Bouffier should primarily use his contacts in politics and help manage the planned Olympic bid. Weikert said he was “exactly the right man for this thanks to his CV, his network and his love for the sport.”
Removal of Burmester “no alternative”
The DOSB recently got into personnel turbulence due to the quarrels surrounding Burmester. The previous chairman of the board is running for the SPD for the office of mayor of Cologne and wanted to remain at the head of the DOSB main office during the election campaign. Weikert confirmed in the “FAZ” interview that he found out about Burmester’s candidacy from the newspaper. “There was no alternative to dismissal as CEO,” emphasized the DOSB President. The DOSB has nothing inherently wrong with the candidacy. “Detached from this, we as the executive committee must of course keep the interests of the DOSB in mind,” said Weikert.
The position of CEO will be formally advertised. You will certainly also receive applications “that we may not even be thinking about at the moment”. The decisive factor for the selection is “expertise in sports – be it through work in an organization or in business or politics,” said Weikert.