DIETZE Tina

General
LAST GAMES ON HOLD
She planned to retire from competitive canoe sprint after the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo but was forced to review her plans when the Games were postponed for a year. She was worried about her contract with the German Army [Bundeswehr], which was due to end in December 2020, as well as a clash with exams she was scheduled to take in 2021. "My house of cards, which I've built up with ups and downs over the last four years collapsed. It should have been be my third and last games, my career should come to an end. I couldn't and didn't want to think about sports after the cancellation. [But] I got the trust I needed from the association and the Bundeswehr and got an extension of one year as a sports soldier. Fortunately, my intermediate exams were also brought forward so that I can clear my head for next year [to compete at the rearranged Games]." (sportbuzzer.de, 01 Dec 2020)

WAKE-UP CALL
Prior to the 2019 World Championships in Szeged, Hungary, she had won 17 world championship medals, including six gold. However, she failed to make the podium at the 2019 edition of the tournament. "I would have loved to have won a medal [in Szeged]. But on the other hand, I think it can be a good thing. It's like a wake-up call a year before the [2020] Olympic Games." (sportbuzzer.de, 27 Aug 2019)

K2 PARTNER
She competes in the K2 with Franziska John, having first shared a boat in 2005. They teamed up again in 2011 and won gold together in the K2 500m at the 2012 Olympic Games in London. "We always joked that if we paddle together until 40, we will get married." In 2018 John got married, with Dietze as her maid of honour. (pressreader.com, 03 Aug 2019)