German Gymnastics and Sports Confederation

German Gymnastics and Sports Confederation
Name	German Gymnastics and Sports Confederation
Formation	20 December 2006
Type	Umbrella organization
Headquarters	Frankfurt
Region served	Germany
Membership	27 million (approx.)
Language	German
Leader title	President
Leader name	Thomas Weikert
Main organ	General Assembly

German Gymnastics and Sports Confederation is the central umbrella organization for sport in Germany. It was formed in 2006 through the merger of the Deutscher Sportbund and the National Olympic Committee for Germany. The confederation represents the interests of its member organizations, promotes grassroots and elite sport, and coordinates Germany's participation in major events like the Olympic Games.

History

The origins of organized German sport date back to the early 19th century with the founding of the first gymnastics clubs by Friedrich Ludwig Jahn. Following World War II, separate sports bodies were established in West Germany and East Germany. The Deutscher Sportbund was founded in West Germany in 1950, while the GDR created its own state-controlled system under the German Gymnastics and Sports Federation (GDR). After German reunification in 1990, the sports structures merged. The current confederation was established in Frankfurt in 2006 to unify the Deutscher Sportbund and the National Olympic Committee for Germany, creating a single entity for both Olympic and non-Olympic sport.

Organization and structure

The confederation is a registered association under German law. Its highest decision-making body is the General Assembly, which elects the Executive Board and the President. The current president is Thomas Weikert. It is headquartered in Frankfurt and operates through a central office with various departments. The structure is federal, with 16 state sports confederations and 99 district and municipal sports bodies representing local interests. Key committees include the Sports Court of Arbitration and the German Sports Aid Foundation.

Member associations

The confederation comprises over 90,000 sports clubs organized under approximately 100 member sports federations. These include major federations like the German Football Association, the German Athletics Association, and the German Gymnastics Federation. It also includes organizations for specific groups, such as the German Disabled Sports Association and the German University Sports Federation. All 16 state sports confederations, such as the Bavarian State Sports Association, are also direct members, ensuring nationwide representation.

Activities and programs

The confederation coordinates Germany's participation in the Olympic Games, Paralympic Games, and other multi-sport events like the European Championships. It runs extensive grassroots initiatives, including the Trimmy fitness campaign and the Sport Pro Health program. It organizes major national events like the German Gymnastics Festival and supports talent development through systems linked to Olympic training centers. The confederation also engages in international development work through partnerships with organizations like UNESCO and the International Olympic Committee.

Finances and funding

The confederation's budget is derived from multiple sources. A significant portion comes from public funding agreements with the Federal Ministry of the Interior (Germany) and the 16 state governments. Commercial revenue is generated through marketing partnerships, such as those with German Sports Aid and sponsors like Allianz and Deutsche Bank. Additional income comes from membership fees of its affiliated federations and grants from the International Olympic Committee for Olympic preparations. Funds are allocated to elite sport, grassroots development, and infrastructure projects.

Role in German society

The confederation is a major social force, promoting club-based sport as a cornerstone of civic engagement. It advocates for sport in political discourse, influencing legislation on topics like tax law for non-profits and anti-doping policies. It plays a key role in promoting social integration, gender equality through programs like Women and Sport, and health initiatives combating issues like childhood obesity. The organization also represents German sport internationally, maintaining relations with bodies like the European Olympic Committees and the World Anti-Doping Agency.

Category:Sports organizations in Germany Category:National Olympic Committees Category:Sports governing bodies in Germany