German Curler Sebastian Schweizer on Olympic Games & Curling’s Rising Popularity

Köln, Germany – February 25, 2026 – Sebastian Schweizer, a veteran of German curling, is enjoying a new chapter in his career while remaining connected to the sport he has dedicated much of his life to. The 45-year-old, a three-time German men’s champion, is currently based in Cologne, working in global marketing for his company, but continues to make regular visits to the curling hall in his hometown of Schwenningen.

Schweizer’s competitive curling career spans decades, beginning with his participation in the World Championships in 2003 alongside Andreas Lang, Rainer Beiter, Jürgen Beck, and Jörg Engesser. The team finished ninth in Winnipeg, Canada. Numerous European and World Championship appearances followed, though Olympic participation proved elusive until recently, with the German team narrowly missing qualification in 2018.

“Unfortunately, we didn’t make it to the Olympic Games in 2018,” Schweizer reflected. “But otherwise, I’ve achieved almost everything.”

From 2014 onwards, Schweizer frequently teamed up with Marc Muskatewitz, who recently skipped the German curling team at the Winter Games. The German team’s performance in Italy, where they narrowly missed out on a semi-final berth, has sparked a surge in the sport’s popularity within Germany.

Schweizer closely followed the recent Winter Olympics, watching nearly every curling livestream. “I think it’s great that Marc Muskatewitz and Co. Have come into the spotlight,” he said. “Curling was already quite popular at previous Winter Games, but it had been a long time since a German team had participated. Germany could have achieved even more. The semi-final was within reach. But we have a very young team, and the future belongs to them. There’s a lot more to come.”

Schweizer first played alongside Muskatewitz at the European Championships in 2014, recognizing his teammate’s ambition and innovative spirit even then. “Marc is only 30 years old, so he’s still young,” Schweizer explained. “He has always been very focused and ambitious. Marc always wants to win, he hates losing. He is also always open to new ideas and is very innovative. He has developed new sweeping techniques.”

The near miss for Olympic qualification in 2018 remains a point of reflection, though not one that dominates his thoughts. “Getting upset isn’t the right word,” Schweizer said. “It doesn’t really play a role in everyday life. But when the Winter Games are on, you do think about it a bit, and the memories come back. But I am extremely happy and satisfied with my career. I’ve been able to experience a lot.”

Despite his professional commitments in Cologne, Schweizer remains actively involved in the sport, playing curling every two to three weeks at a local rink. He also looks forward to competing in senior events once he reaches the age of 50. “I laugh,” he said, “There’s a curling rink in Cologne, so I can walk there. Every two or three weeks I play a round. And from 50 I can join the seniors. Maybe I’ll get back into competitive action then.”

The recent success of the German curling team has generated significant excitement, with the recent “Curling Day” event in Schwenningen drawing large crowds. Schweizer is optimistic that this newfound popularity will be sustained. “If you take the recent Curling Day in Schwenningen as a benchmark, this is not unrealistic. There was a lot going on. Now it is important to use the new popularity sustainably. I am very confident about that.”

Schweizer’s transition from competitive athlete to marketing professional demonstrates a broader trend within elite sports, where athletes increasingly leverage their discipline and focus into diverse career paths. His continued involvement in curling, both as a player and observer, underscores the enduring appeal of the sport and its growing presence on the international stage.