The North Rhine-Westphalia Triathlon Association has overturned the disqualification of Cologne-based professional triathlete Till Schramm at the Cologne Triathlon Weekend 2013. Both the association's disciplinary committee and its executive board concluded that the disqualification was legally invalid. The 29-year-old thus successfully challenged the disqualification of his second-place finish, which was based on an allegedly illegal maneuver on the cycling course at the Cologne Triathlon on September 1, 2013.
“I’ve never taken legal action before. But in this case, I felt so unfairly treated that a decision by the responsible governing bodies seemed unavoidable ,” Schramm emphasizes. “I’m very happy with the decision, even if it doesn’t bring back the lost joy of this fantastic race and is only a consolation prize for the disreputable behavior of some of my fellow athletes afterward. It’s now definitively settled that I’m entitled to second place, that my time of 8 hours and 23 minutes is rightfully my personal best, and of course, that I’m also entitled to the prize money I deserve. I can finally concentrate fully on the next races again!”