European Championship finalist Kathrin Demler tells us about her experiences with her period in competitive sport. She has been swimming for about 20 years and is part of the German team. She is a seven-time German champion in 2021. After narrowly missing out on Olympic qualification, she is trying to To see positive things, such as "my very first nomination for an open European Championship". We interviewed her to find out more about the topic of competitive sport and periods.
Since when have you been swimming?
Kathrin: I started swimming in a club when I was 6... first with the seahorse, of course (laughs). I tried out a lot of sports in general and didn't like any of them, so I tried swimming and stuck with it. I first went to a small club for swimming training in Bottrop and then after 3-4 years I came to the base in Essen with a friend. The official trial training takes place there. Tests are done and you swim against others. After that it is decided whether you have made it or whether you go back to your club. There is also a sports school or boarding school on site, which then cooperates with the base. So I started competitive sports in the 7th grade.
Do you swim in mixed groups or are you separated according to biological gender?
Kathrin: First of all, it's mixed and then there are youth groups (JTM age groups). You train regardless of age and gender, because we women are more capable than the men at an earlier age. The boys are usually 2-3 years older.
When did you get your first period?
Kathrin: I don't remember exactly...it was a little later, I think, and it was during a competition. My mom had explained to me beforehand how to use tampons , but I couldn't really manage it during the "rehearsal" and I had to manage it during the competition. I had no other choice. I went to the toilet with a friend and then luckily it worked and I was able to take part in the competition.
Did you feel like you could talk openly about your period? Or did you have someone you could trust?
Kathrin: I felt more alone. I talked about it with a friend, but no one else. I didn't even mention it when I had my period, and certainly not to my trainer. I felt a lot of shame then. Sometimes it was annoying when the boys said something stupid like "Come to terms with your emotions and stop being so bitchy , or is your period back?" So the emotional aspect was always stereotyped. It's just annoying .
"For sport, you adapt to make it easy"
And what about the competition?
Kathrin: No one has ever asked me when, let alone if, I have my period. Very little is talked about it . The majority of national coaches are men. I don't know if they aren't aware of it or don't care . When I was 27, a coach once asked me how I was performing and that was the first time I could talk about my period without feeling ashamed. As athletes, we are taught very early on to put up with everything... to be tough... to keep going... not to give up... you don't want it to come across as an excuse if you don't perform well during your period. It would just be nice if it was included as a factor and then everyone didn't immediately say "Yes, yes, I would like an excuse like that too!" As if periods and everything that happens with them were ever an excuse for us women?
Have you ever heard of cycle-based training?
Kathrin: Yes, but that doesn't exist in my club. I only recently found out that there are different performance phases in the cycle and that you can train accordingly. I know a swimmer who does that: Angelina Köhler. But she had to do it on her own and figure it out for herself. She became world champion in Qatar in 2024! So WOW! The coach was open to trying it out and it worked out pretty well (laughs). She trains at SG Neukölln Berlin.
What are your experiences with periods and exercise?
Kathrin: In general, it's pretty crazy that there are almost only male national coaches. For the U16s, a female companion must be present and it's sometimes really difficult to find one to supervise them. What also makes me think is that no coach has to undergo psychological screening, a report or have any pedagogical training. Coaches are like educators, we grow up with them, they are people we can relate to. Unfortunately, there are always unpleasant experiences that are hardly ever talked about. Every now and then a case is briefly shown in the media, there is a big outcry, outrage, shock, but nothing changes. One sentence still sticks in my mind: " I'm just a bit touchy , but that's just how I am!" WTF? Unfortunately, the female body is not really discussed at all.
In which moments do you feel empowered?
Kathrin: I feel empowered after a hard set, when I know I've done it! How far I can go and how strong my mind is! When I set my own limits, I feel good! My favorite things about competition...the little things...
Have you ever heard of the term amenorrhea?
Kathrin: No, I haven't yet! I've just heard a few times from girls that they haven't had their period for a while, even though they aren't pregnant or breastfeeding, etc. You think to yourself, that's really nice. I was also once told to just keep taking the pill and then you won't get your period anymore. Of course, you also ask yourself how healthy competitive sport is for the body! Many people also overtrain, even from a young age...the female body then never develops properly.
What are your wishes for competitive sports?
Kathrin: Greater openness! Feelings of shame are removed and the female and male sex are viewed in a more differentiated way and that this has nothing to do with weakness, but is human! It is a fact and not a weakness!
Do you have any advice for younger swimmers?
Kathrin: Don't be afraid to ask older people for help! Unfortunately, we don't have a special person to turn to. Find strength in the community!
