Matthias Große, president of the Deutsche Eisschnelllauf- und Shorttrack Gemeinschaft (DESG), has sparked outrage due to his management style and personal conduct in the sport of speed skating. Initially recognized for his colorful personality, including a penchant for luxury cars like Hummers, Große’s leadership has been met with mixed reactions, suggesting he either revitalizes the sport or leads it towards destruction. The comment highlights incidents from his past, including his relationship with former Olympic champion Claudia Pechstein, which brought attention to questionable decisions and associations within the sport.

Critics argue that his "Make Eisschnelllauf Great Again" mantra is not just misguided but harmful, calling for a political investigation into his actions. The author of the article, Claudio Catuogno, emphasizes the urgent need for accountability in order to safeguard the integrity of the sport and its governing bodies. This call for scrutiny reflects broader concerns about leadership and governance in sports organizations, underlining the need for transparency and ethical conduct.

Overall, this commentary raises significant concerns about the direction in which the sport is headed under Große's leadership. As the debate intensifies, the potential for political intervention looms, with stakeholders in the sport eager for a resolution to restore public confidence and ensure the health of speed skating in Germany. The situation illustrates the complexities of sports governance and the critical alignment of leadership with the values of fairness, respect, and accountability within sports communities.