Meldungen

Two key institutions for training and further education in German elite sport are forging even closer ties: Under a new cooperation agreement, the German Sport University Cologne and the Trainerakademie Köln of Deutscher Olympischer Sportbund (DOSB) are pooling their expertise – with the clear aim of sustainably strengthening Cologne’s position as a centre for elite sport and significantly advancing the transfer of knowledge between research and practice. Both partners are contributing their respective strengths: whilst Germany’s only sports university stands for excellence in research and academic teaching, the Trainerakademie Köln has many years of experience in the practical training of coaches in elite sport. This even closer integration will create new synergies, from which athletes, coaches and young talent in particular are set to benefit. “With this collaboration, we are not only strengthening Cologne as a centre for sport, but also sending a clear signal for the future of German elite sport. By integrating scientific excellence and top-level coach training even more closely, we are laying the foundations for innovation, performance and sustainable success at an international level,” says Professor Ansgar Thiel, President of the German Sport University Cologne, on the aim of the partnership. Higher quality in education and training At the heart of the partnership is the joint training of highly qualified specialists for elite sport. The aim is to train coaches to an internationally competitive standard – grounded in scientific research whilst remaining closely linked to practical training. The aim is for the latest research findings to find their way onto the training ground more quickly, whilst, conversely, valuable practical experience is fed directly into teaching and research. This creates a continuous exchange that enhances quality on both sides. Representatives of both partners signed the new cooperation agreement during the 40th Internationaler Kongress Nachwuchsleistungssport NRW 2026 at the German Sport University Cologne in April. Specific benefits of the collaboration The agreement lays the foundation for a wide range of concrete measures: Practical experience meets the lecture theatre: Coaches and teaching staff from both institutions will be more closely involved in teaching and professional development. Students will thus benefit from direct practical knowledge drawn from elite sport. Joint research: Projects with a clear link to training practice ensure that scientific findings are applied in a targeted manner within elite sport. New educational opportunities: Innovative programmes are planned – ranging from continuing professional development courses to jointly developed degree programmes. Career paths in sport: The acquisition of coaching licences will be more closely integrated into degree programmes and facilitated through access to leading sports federations. Greater visibility for Cologne: Joint initiatives are designed to further raise the city’s profile as a centre for elite sport. Cologne as a future hub for elite sport According to the cooperation agreement, the geographical proximity and existing personal connections provide ideal conditions for bringing the collaboration to life. The new agreement builds on a long-standing partnership – and now takes it to a new level. For students, coaches and organised sport, this means one thing above all: better training, closer networking and more innovation in elite sport – a clear signal, particularly against the backdrop of a potential Olympic bid .