Angela Merkel visited the country's Olympic and Paralympic Training Center ©DOSB

German Chancellor Angela Merkel visited the country's Olympic and Paralympic Training Center, located in Kienbaum in Brandenburg.

Merkel visited the site's new buildings and various training facilities, and also spoke with a number of athletes.

She also held talks with German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) President Alfons Hörmann and DOSB Board member Dirk Schimmelpfennig.

Athletes the Chancellor spoke with included canoeists Sebastian Brendel, Tina Dietze, Franziska Weber and Max Rendschmidt, 

Discus throwers Julia and Robert Harting, archer Lisa Unruh and retired swimmer Roland Matthes also met with Merkel.

Angela Merkel spoke with a number of athletes during her visit ©DOSB
Angela Merkel spoke with a number of athletes during her visit ©DOSB

During her visit, Merkel received insight into the training programmes of young and elite competitors.

"The renaming to the Olympic and Paralympic Training Center for Germany clearly shows the outstanding position of Kienbaum with its training possibilities for many Olympic and Paralympic sports in the country," said DOSB President Alfons Hörmann.

"The name clearly shows why so many top German athletes are coming to Kienbaum."

Rendschmidt, a double Rio 2016 canoe gold medallist, received the Kienbaum Award from the Chancellor.

It has been awarded since 2012 and honours athletic achievements as well as those who demonstrate "human values" and act as role models.