E.German Sports Officials Quit

The leadership of East Germany’s embattled sports federation resigned Tuesday in response to mounting public criticism of excessive government support of elite athletes.

President Klaus Eichler, his five vice presidents and the entire secretariat quit the German Gymnastics and Sports Federation (DTSB) in an emergency session at the Kienbaum training camp east of Berlin.

Delegates charged that federation leaders were looking out for their own posts and urged that more attention be paid to local sports.

Since East Germany’s peaceful democratic revolt, former star athletes have come under criticism for enjoying privileges. Pressure has increased for funding more sports facilities for the public and promoting sports previously deemed secondary by officials, such as tennis, basketball and hockey.

With their status endangered, top athletes have called for sports leadership to utilize commercial sponsors.

A statement signed by 192 athletes, including Olympic shotput champion Ulf Timmermann, called on the leadership to resign, saying that it was unable to lead the organization at a time of rapid change in society.

Premier Hans Modrow met Monday with athletes and officials. Modrow said he wanted to maintain the respected place of competitive sports but stressed that “much more attention must be paid to sports for all.”