During the Olympic preparations, the German basketball players have another appointment with the Federal President. Frank-Walter Steinmeier talks about his memories of September 2023
Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has awarded the world champions the Silver Laurel Leaf and honored coach Gordon Herbert with the Federal Cross of Merit. At Bellevue Palace in Berlin, the head of state recalled the “German sporting history” that took place on September 10, 2023 at the Basketball World Cup in Manila. Team captain Dennis Schröder briefly thanked him for the award. In the evening, the team had an appointment with Chancellor Olaf Scholz
A boom like Becker
Steinmeier thanked the protagonists around head coach Herbert. A new era could begin in basketball after the unexpected triumph. “Since September 2023, we have been experiencing a boom that was perhaps last triggered in tennis by Boris Becker with his victory at Wimbledon in the 1980s. Boys and girls all over the country now want to play basketball in such large numbers that some clubs can’t even accommodate them all,” said the Federal President.
Steinmeier compared the final against Serbia to the “Thrilla in Manila” that took place in the boxing ring between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier in 1975. “You have kindled enthusiasm in the hearts and minds of children and young people. And I thank you for that too. Because that is perhaps just as important as a gold medal and a silver leaf,” added the Federal President, addressing the world champions. Ten of the twelve world champions have also been nominated for the Olympic squads in Paris and Lille.
