The article commemorates the 70th anniversary of the 1956 Winter Olympics held in Cortina d’Ampezzo, which marked a pivotal moment in the history of German sports. It points out that these games featured the first unified German team since the division of the country, stirring political implications at the time. This year, as the Winter Olympics return to Cortina d’Ampezzo, it is noted that only two athletes born in East Germany will participate, further underscoring the waning presence of East German athletes in international sports.

As the article discusses the unique situation of these athletes, it delves into the historical context that saw the East and West of Germany navigate their identities through sports. It highlights Felix Loch and Georg Fleischhauer as the last representatives of a once-significant cohort of East German athletes who were celebrated during the times of the German Democratic Republic (GDR). Their participation in the Olympics brings both nostalgia and a sense of closure to a chapter of German sports history that is marked by division.

In looking ahead, the article raises questions about the legacy of East German athletes and suggests that their contributions to sports may not be fully recognized in the broader narrative of Olympic history. As the last athletes of their kind compete, there are implications not just for national pride but also for how sports history is shaped by the political realities of the time. The situation serves as a poignant reminder of how sports can reflect, and sometimes complicate, national identities and historical narratives.