After the end of the Olympic Games in Paris, several renowned reporters from ARD and ZDF are ending their TV careers.
The second one is particularly badly affected: Athletics presenter Norbert König is quitting, as are Christoph Hamm (biathlon and handball), Aris Donzelli (tennis), Norbert Galeske (rowing and canoe sprint) and Michael Pfeffer (cycling and boxing).
“These Olympic Games were the last time that some colleagues who have given ZDF’s sports broadcasts a profile for over four decades were present,” said sports director Yorck Polus to the news agency “dpa”. “We and the program will miss these colleagues.”
However, the change in personnel now provides “the opportunity to develop the ZDF sports editorial team in the future,” Polus continued. The generational change has already begun in recent years, and some younger journalists have already moved up, “including to the commentator and moderator positions.”
Reporter legend König was bid farewell live on TV by presenter Kathrin Müller-Hohenstein after his last athletics session at the Stade de France.
The 65-year-old, who has reported on all Winter and Summer Olympic Games for ZDF since 1988, described his final assignment in Paris as a “huge gift”. Müller-Hohenstein spoke of a “moving evening” for König.
Olympia 2024: Personnel losses at ARD not so great
The loss at ARD after the games in the French capital is not quite as great. However, the first channel is also losing a recognized expert in athletics reporter Wilfried Hark.
Long-time Paris correspondent Sabine Rau, who is also ending her journalistic career, also received an emotional farewell during the “Tagesschau”.
In a dialogue with Susanne Dauber, she spoke of a “great, glamorous backdrop” and “unforgettable games” on the Seine.
Source: www.sport.de
