According to reports, a German athlete competing in the Olympics was sent home after openly criticising team selection.
Surprisingly, Luna Bulmahn, 24, was left out of last week’s 4x400m mixed relay. Bulmahn, who also goes as Luna Thiel, was left out of the squad featuring her partner Jean Paul Bredau disappointed her.
“Yes, I am the second fastest 400-metre athlete on paper,” Bulmahn wrote on Instagram.
“No, I was not nominated for the mixed relay.”
Alica Schmidt took Bulmahn’s spot on the team instead.
Schmidt had a tough time in the race, and Germany could only finish eighth in their heat and miss out on the final. In the end, the Netherlands won gold, finishing ahead of the USA, while Team GB took home the bronze.
Speaking following Germany’s underwhelming heat, Bredau expressed his anger at Schmidt’s selection and implied that his partner’s exclusion affected his performance.
“Not everything went perfectly beforehand. That’s why I didn’t have the energy,” he said.
“A few decisions were made that not everyone approved. The DLV made it very clear: the fastest four should run. A different decision was made.”
Although Bulmahn was barred from competing in the women’s 4x400m relay by the German Athletics Association (DLV), Bredau later expressed regret for his remarks.
Since then, Bulmahn has also been ordered home from the Games, according to a story from The Metro.
What did Alica say about this?
Schmidt says she was saddened by the controversy, saying: “There were disagreements beforehand. I have to say, we are a team.
“We should stick together. We should trust what the coaches decide and be mentally ready accordingly.
“Everyone prepares for this for three years. And if you stand here and don’t fully support the relay team – I find that difficult.”
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Bredau finished third in the fourth repechage heat on Monday, but he was unable to advance to the men’s 400-meter race semifinals.
The women’s 4×400-meter relay is scheduled for Thursday morning, and the medal race is scheduled for Friday evening.
