German Paralympic champions to elect German Federal President

Niko Kappel and Markus Rehm have been chosen to be part of the Federal Convention. 02 Feb 2017

Markus Rehm of Germany celebrates after winning the Men's Long Jump - T44 Final at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.

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By NPC Germany

“That was a big surprise of course, it’s not every day that you receive a call by the prime minister.”

German Paralympic champions Niko Kappel (shot put) and Markus Rehm (long jump) will be part of the Federal Convention that will elect the new German Federal President on 12 February 2017.

In Germany, the political parties that are part of congress select representatives to vote for the German President, it is not a public vote.

While Kappel was selected by the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Rehm was nominated by the Socialist Party Germany (SPD), even receiving a direct call by Hannelore Kraft, Prime Minister of North-Rhine Westfalia.

“That was a big surprise of course, it’s not every day that you receive a call by the prime minister,” said Rehm about his nomination.

Both are honoured to take part in the election.

“I am very proud that I am able to take part. It is great that the public interest in Paralympic sport is now that big,” said Kappel.