German Sports Funding Reform Stalls After Coalition Collapse

The proposed law, aimed at overhauling elite sports funding, faces indefinite delays following political deadlock and upcoming elections.

The proposed Sports Funding Act, which included plans for an independent agency to manage funding, has failed to advance after the breakup of Germany's coalition government.
The legislation aimed to improve planning, reduce bureaucracy, and enhance athlete performance but faced criticism from opposition parties and sports organizations.
Union and FDP parties confirmed they would not support the law before the February 2025 federal elections, effectively blocking its passage.
Athlete representatives and sports officials called for changes to the bill, citing concerns over political influence and insufficient reforms in the current draft.
A new attempt to pass the legislation may take at least a year, delaying critical improvements for athletes and coaches.