Appointment at the Federal Chancellery

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz presented two-time Olympic canoe champion Ronald Rauhe as the new Minister of State for Sport and Volunteering on Thursday. The 44-year-old former athlete received his certificate of appointment on the south steps of the Federal Chancellery in Berlin. Rauhe succeeds Christiane Schenderlein, who transferred to the Federal Ministry of Health as a parliamentary state secretary at the end of July. Merz confirmed the appointment in a video published on Instagram, welcoming Rauhe into the federal government. The decision concludes a series of personnel changes in the CDU leadership triggered by the July resignation of Jens Spahn as CDU/CSU parliamentary group leader.

Policy priorities and the Olympic bid

Rauhe takes office as the German government advances several sports policy reforms, including the Sports Funding Act and the creation of a Centre for Safe Sport. He is also tasked with driving forward the establishment of the Elite Sports Agency, which will be based in Leipzig. A central responsibility in his portfolio is steering Germany's bid to host future Olympic and Paralympic Games. The German Olympic Sports Confederation has officially registered interest with the International Olympic Committee for the Summer Games in 2036, 2040, or 2044. On 26 September 2026, the confederation will hold an extraordinary general meeting in Baden-Baden to choose between bids from Berlin, Munich, and the Rhine-Ruhr region with Cologne.

Reactions across German sports organisations

Representatives across German athletics and sports governance expressed approval of Rauhe's appointment to the Chancellery post. Thomas Weikert, president of the German Olympic Sports Confederation, praised the inclusion of an athlete with direct governing experience.

“Having an Olympic champion who for decades combined world-class performances as a sports soldier in canoe racing with club involvement and athlete representation at the cabinet table gives tailwind to sport and volunteer engagement in our country.”

Max Hartung, spokesperson for the board of the Deutsche Sporthilfe foundation, noted that Rauhe brings practical knowledge across multiple sectors.

“Through his work at the intersections of sport, media and business, he knows the different challenges of a modern sports system.”

Pia Greiten, president of the athletes' association Athleten Deutschland, added that Rauhe understands the structural needs of active competitors.

Athletic background and political transition

Rauhe concluded his competitive canoeing career after winning gold in the K4 500 metres at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. His competitive record includes five Olympic medals, beginning with bronze at the 2000 Sydney Games and gold in the K2 500 metres at the 2004 Athens Games, alongside 26 World Championship medals and 27 European Championship medals. A former sports soldier who studied sports marketing, Rauhe has worked as a television canoe expert and holds a seat on the Athletes' Commission of the European Olympic Committees. Addressing his new portfolio, Rauhe pledged to focus on community volunteers across Germany.

“They deserve fewer hurdles, more support and above all our full appreciation.”

The conclusion of the cabinet reshuffle also coincides with Jens Spahn's return to legislative duties on the Bundestag Budget Committee, where he is designated rapporteur for the Foreign Office budget.

European Championships27

World Championships26

Olympic Games5

European Championships

27 medals

World Championships

26 medals

Olympic Games

5 medals

Data from the article text