GERMANY

Germany Tug of War Association is a co-founder and a founding member of the European Tug of War Federation.

The sport of tug of war is a traditional team sport with over 100 years of history in Germany and significant international importance. Between 1900 and 1920, tug of war was part of the Olympic program and, during that time, belonged to the International Association of Athletics Federations. After its removal, the Tug of War International Federation (TWIF) was founded in 1960. Since 1981, TWIF has been a member of the International World Games Association (IWGA). Tug of war has since been a permanent part of the World Games and has been included in every official competition program from the beginning.

In addition, TWIF is a member of SportAccord and is recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as a Recognised Sport Organisation. As such, the sport complies with the principles of the Olympic Charter as well as the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Code.

In Germany, official national tug of war championships have been held since 1913. The sport is organized under the German Field Strength and Tug of War Federation (Deutscher Rasenkraftsport- und Tauzieh-Verband e.V., DRTV), which was founded in 1971 and has included tug of war in its name since 1983. The DRTV is a non-Olympic member federation of the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) and represents, alongside tug of war, the sports of field strength athletics and Highland Games. The sport is characterized by the strong roots of its clubs in rural regions and by the family-like atmosphere at national and international competitions.

The German national teams have ranked among the leading nations internationally for many years. At the World Games, they have consistently won medals since 2005, including silver in 2009 and 2022, as well as bronze in 2005, 2013, 2017, and 2025. Numerous titles and podium finishes have also been achieved at the World Championships—most recently at the home World Championships in Mannheim in 2024, where Germany won the heavyweight world title and three additional medals, and in 2025 in Nottingham (England) with silver in the mixed category and bronze in the lightweight division.

Tug of war combines tradition with modern athletic development. With its strong international presence and the prospect of future Olympic recognition, the sport represents a central part of both German and international sport. The DRTV is a member of both TWIF and, since 2021, the European Tug of War Federation (ETWF), and it regularly participates in their congresses and committee meetings to actively represent the interests of German tug of war on the international stage.