Speed skater Josephine Schlörb will not be allowed to compete in her usual shoes at the Winter Olympics in Milan, which begin on Friday. According to her, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) banned the 22-year-old from using them because of the messages printed on them.
"I had quite a few statements printed on my old custom-made shoe. For example: Hate is not an opinion. Discrimination is a crime," Schlörb told the Sächsische Zeitung newspaper. That's why the 2024 European Championship runner-up contacted the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) early on.
No politics in competition
Just under six months later, the IOC issued the ban with reference to Rule 50 of the Olympic Charter. The competition field "must be completely free of political thoughts. You can do anything around it, wear anything, say anything - but you can't make any political statements during the competition itself," said the Dresden native.
Slörb then made the inscriptions unrecognizable, but according to her, the IOC also prohibited this version. She was told that there could be questions about what was written on them.
World map made of "Respect"
Schlörb developed a new design and printed a world map of the word "Respect" in different colors on the shoes. This was approved by the IOC, but a lot of work was involved for Schlörb. She had to prove that all the words actually meant "respect".
"I created an Excel spreadsheet especially for this. With the literal translation, alternative translations and which sources I used. I really wanted to play it safe," said the athlete. The new shoe is also custom-made and Schlörb said she "loves this shoe". In the team pursuit, Schlörb wants to compete for the medals with Lea Sophie Scholz and Josie Hofmann.
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