Cologne-based professional triathlete Till Schramm is appealing to the disciplinary committee of the North Rhine-Westphalia Triathlon Association following his disqualification at the Cologne Triathlon Weekend. The 28-year-old is challenging the decision to disqualify him from second place due to an allegedly illegal maneuver on the cycling course during the Cologne Triathlon on September 1, 2013.
“Firstly, I don’t see the grounds for the alleged disqualification as valid, since my maneuver at a narrow point successfully prevented a fall for myself and another athlete. Secondly, and this is even more important, the entire disqualification process was not in accordance with the rules in my view, and I am requesting clarification from the federation's court as a first step ,” Schramm explained.
The triathlete from Cologne hired the process and company lawyer Dr. Sebastian Longrée mandated. Longrée is a partner in the Essen commercial law firm Kümmerlein. In his practice, Longrée also advises and represents athletes, associations and companies on sports law issues.
For Schramm, however, the 2013 sporting year will not end with legal matters, but with another sporting highlight. He will compete twice in Thailand. On November 24, 2013, the Laguna Phuket Triathlon is on the schedule. A few days later, the father of two will start in the Half Challenge Thailand, where the assembled world elite, including Ironman Hawaii winners Craig Alexander, Pete Jakobs, and Chris McCormack, celebrate their season finale: "I won't be in top form, but I've given it my all in the current dreary German weather to be competitive."