In 2002 he was an active player at the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, in 2018 he was part of the silver medal team in Pyeongchang as an assistant coach - and in 2022 he will be DEB-Sports director travel to Beijing. In the interview, Christian Künast talks about the special features of the Olympics and reveals why his silver medal hangs on a very simple nail.
Christian, you experienced the Olympics in different positions. Can you describe what Olympia is like as a player and what Olympia is like as a coach?
Christian Künast: When you're at the Olympic Games as a player, you get more out of it. You watch other sports that you don't normally get to see. You support other athletes, the atmosphere in the German House is fantastic. As a coach, you don't get to see as much of that because it's a very busy time.
What do you do as a coach on an Olympic day?
Christian Künast: Preparing and following up training, preparing games, analyzing opponents, editing videos, meetings with the support team, meetings with the players. In 2018 we tried to do something different for an hour a day, but it's really difficult. I still remember being at another competition in 2002: It was a German women's biathlon race where Laura Dahlmeier won another gold medal.
What makes the Olympics so special?
Christian Künast: As an active athlete, the Olympics are one of the biggest career goals. When you achieve that, it's special. Often - we now see this with our women's national team - it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. There is no other way for so many sports to come together in one place. When I just think about the food hall, it's unbelievable: you go in and there are athletes from all different nations sitting there eating. You meet, you chat, you exchange ideas. The Olympics is also a stage that only occurs every four years. Reporting on public television – we don’t get to do that very often in ice hockey.
What was the most emotional Olympic moment for you?
Christian Künast: That's clear, that was in the quarterfinals in 2018: Patrick Reimer scored the overtime goal in the 62nd minute. Then the referee went to the video evidence. I was a real bundle of nerves. I was connected to our video coach by radio, who calmed me down and told me it was a goal. But you still don't know what the referee will decide on the ice. Then the referee came back, went to the middle of the ice, turned on the microphone - and his “It's a good goal” echoed through the hall. I still get goosebumps when I tell you that. But of course there is also an emotionally negative moment: I haven't watched the final against Russia again yet. Even when summaries are on TV, I tune out.
And what was your most emotional moment as a player at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City?
Christian Künast: In terms of sport it was mixed, we were significantly further away from the top nations. But there were incredibly beautiful moments when we celebrated other athletes' medals. What will forever be remembered is the opening ceremony. When you walk into the full stadium, the... Fans really cheer - the enthusiasm in the USA is much greater than anywhere else. It's incredibly emotional.
What significance does the Olympics have for him? DEB?
Christian Künast: The Olympics are a very, very big event for us. It is a stage on which we can present ourselves. Since the 2018 Olympics in Pyeongchang, when we came in as “outsiders” and only won a medal for the second time ever, the importance has increased even further. Winning a medal is something unique. A framed Olympic jersey with a silver medal hangs in our large conference room. That highlights the meaning again.
Have you ever bitten into the medal? And if so, what does it taste like?
Christian Künast: I didn't really bite into it, but what I can say is that it actually tastes more like iron.
Where is your Olympic silver medal?
Christian Künast: It hangs on a very simple nail in my study. I've said many times that I need a better solution. But actually I think it's nice when it simply hangs on the nail. I'm in my study almost every day and then I see the medal. Before she collects dust, she'd rather hang around.
Let's talk about the 2022 Olympics. It's not long now - and there will be a special Winter Olympics. Not just because of the corona pandemic, but also because of the political circumstances. What do you expect?
Christian Künast: It will be a special situation. It's in China, and the Olympics in China can be discussed. Sport should be the priority. But everyone can and should have their own opinion about things China does. Nevertheless, the Olympics are a dream for every athlete and every official. And you should live this dream if you can live it. Corona makes it even more difficult. China is very careful to ensure that nothing happens. That's understandable, it's just a question of how to do it. It will be extremely difficult and it is an additional burden: But we still want to move the sport forward.
What are your expectations and goals?
Christian Künast: Toni Söderholm is the better person to contact. First of all, what matters is which squad we fly to Beijing with. Only when we know which team we have and which are the opponents can we set our goals precisely.
The men's national team is currently in the top five in the world. You can go in there with a bigger chest...
Christian Künast: You should always believe in yourself. And perhaps we should talk about the quarter-finals as a goal. But anything can happen at the Olympics, you can be unlucky, others can be better. We are currently ranked fifth in the world, but the top nations are really close together. But what I can reveal is that in the long term we definitely want to place ourselves in the top six.
That's a good final word. Thank you for the conversation, Christian!