Generational change, especially in ZDF sports: several key commentators are leaving

The last live broadcast from the athletics stadium: ZDF reporter Norbert König (2nd from left) with Olympic shot put forward Yemisi Ogunleye.

IMAGO/Rene Schulz

The Olympic Games in Paris will be the last major job of several well-known television commentators. Especially when ZDF there is a generational change. “Some colleagues who have been there for more than four decades will be taking part in these Olympic Games for the last time ZDFsports broadcasting icon,” said sports director Yorck Polus.

Christoph Hamm, well-known to the audience as a live commentator for biathlon and handball, made his last Olympic appearance in Paris and said goodbye on Sunday with money for the DHB selection. The 64-year-old was also an important behind-the-scenes figure for the public broadcaster. Hamm worked as a program manager at several World and European Football Championships.

Goodbye with emotion

Among the most famous ZDFAmong the journalists who last appeared at the Summer Olympics in Paris are Aris Donzelli (tennis), Norbert Galeske (rowing and canoe sprint) and Michael Pfeffer (cycling and boxing). Everyone was for that ZDF also used for winter sports broadcasts. Athletics expert Norbert König is also stepping down and said goodbye to his colleague Katrin Müller-Hohenstein on Friday at the end of the live broadcast.

“We and the program will miss our colleagues,” said the athletic director. But it also gives us the opportunity to develop ZDF’s sports department in the future. “The generational change has already begun in recent years, and some young people have already moved up, “including to the roles of reporter and moderator.”

At the HIGH the farewell to popular commentators is not so terrible. Wilfried Hark had his last athletic appearance in Paris, and said goodbye in the program with commentator Claus Lufen and Frank Busemann. “Both of us, Frank and I, now bow to Willi Hark,” said Lufen: “Reporters on our athletic team for over 30 years HIGH. Dear Willi, good luck.”