German Paralympic champion Bruhn elected to DBS

“My goal is to use my many years of athletic experiences to give back ideas and suggestions that will help the German Disabled Sports Association...”

From the pool to the panel, three-time Paralympic medallist Kirsten Bruhn was elected as the new chairman of the board of trustees of the German Disabled Sports Association (DBS).

Bruhn succeeds the former Federal Minister Brigitte Zypries, who had for many years been a supporter of sports for people with an impairment. Bruhn’s deputy will be Gerhard Janetzky, President of the Berlin Athletics Association.

"I never thought that I would be a member of a board of trustees; now I am even the president,” said Bruhn, 45, who won gold in the 100m breaststroke SB5 in the 2004, 2008 and 2012 Paralympic Games. “My goal is to use my many years of athletic experiences to give back ideas and suggestions that will help the German Disabled Sports Association and especially the athletes.”

"(I want) to convey the excitement of disabled sports and its importance, that is my greatest wish and I hope I can do that,” Bruhn said.

DBS President Friedhelm Julius Beucher expressed his joy for the former flagship athlete.

"We are delighted with such a prominent studded panel, which stands us assist in the fulfillment of our various tasks aside,” Beucher said. “For Kirsten Bruhn, it is not the only new role. The day before, she was elected as a new Vice President of Sports Disabled Sports Association Berlin.”