SpeedSummit – Europe's biggest Speed Conference?
"All roads lead to Rome." This isn’t just a saying from everyday life, it’s also the guiding principle behind training in many sports. Today, we’re focusing specifically on speed training, and our guest is long-time sprint coach and SpeedSummit founder Thomas Czarnetzki.
Maximum speed is a core skill — not just in track and field but in almost every sport. Whether it’s soccer, handball, volleyball, American football, cycling, tennis, or even golf, those who can generate the highest speed in the shortest time have a clear advantage. So why not combine knowledge from all these sports? That’s exactly why Thomas founded the SpeedSummit.
The SpeedSummit DACH takes place every October at the Helmut-Körnig-Halle in Dortmund, welcoming coaches, athletes, and scientists alike. The response has been overwhelmingly positive. Previous speakers include Prof. Dr. Raunser from the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Physiology, Andreas Behm — 2012 US Olympic Track Coach of the Year — and Viola Kleiser, Austria’s national coach for the 400m hurdles. The vision? To become the most in-demand speed conference in Europe.
Germany’s international competitiveness in the 400m and 800m events leaves much to be desired. Is a lack of speed the reason? That question is almost philosophical in nature and deserves deeper investigation in the future. However, what we are seeing is a highly successful women’s sprint relay team and two new German records in the 100m and 200m, set by Owen Ansah and Joshua Hartmann. This proves that the training methods of top coaches are making an impact. On the other hand, many dedicated volunteer and part-time coaches continue to rely on long-established practices.
Who decided that athletes need one minute of rest per 10 meters of sprinting? Not to challenge this rule — but it paints a clear picture. The majority of training is based on rules of thumb. While these guidelines are often abstractions of scientific findings, they can also hinder progress by obscuring the biological reasoning behind training methods. A broader exchange of knowledge and continuous education hold enormous potential for improving speed development across the entire DACH region.
Beyond that, German track and field is bound to evolve; and it must. This isn’t just about optimizing training through better measurement, interpretation, and AI-driven improvements; it’s also about restructuring the way clubs operate. Purely volunteer-based, non-profit models will not be sustainable in the long run. Soccer, cycling, basketball, and handball have already shown the way. Professional marketing, combined with financially strong sponsors, brings elite teams to the world stage. Why not in German track and field? Until then, it’s up to us dedicated coaches, athletes, family members, and entrepreneurs to carry this sport forward with pride and passion.
💡 In the spotlight – @speed_summit
