Triathlete Andreas Niedrig is not only known beyond the triathlon scene for his sporting successes (including third place in the 1998 Ironman Roth). The athlete, who retired as a professional in 2006, also made a name for himself because of his personal story - he was a drug addict - which he wrote about in the book "Vom Junkie zum Ironman". The book has now been reworked and his story made into a film entitled "Run for your life!". Cinema release: 24 April
TOUR spoke to Niedrig about the Fillm and the book project.
TOUR: Mr Niedrig, what is the film "Run for your life!" about?
The film will show the life of my family, with many highs and, above all, many lows. With the film, however, we have primarily tried to tell a parable from life, which is about the values of love, loyalty and friendship that are unfortunately too often lost today. We want to show that you can always change your life with personal responsibility and a consistent outlook on life.
How did the main actor prepare?
Max Riemelt portrays me above all in my youth and young adulthood. I think this preparation was a real challenge for him. Due to my addiction, I lost an incredible amount of weight back then, which forced the actor to go on a diet. But Max was already so well-trained that he had to work hard to lose even more weight. He was integrated into the starting field with me at the Ironman on Lanzarote for the filming. But he didn't finish.
There is already a book by you: "From Junkie to Ironman". Why the new edition?
I published the first book under pressure from the media when more and more details from my past became known in the course of my sporting successes. My wife and I decided to go on the offensive. The problem was that my junkie days were already seven years over and I didn't really want to deal with the past any more. So I left the writing to the author Jörg Schmitt-Kilian. Everything in the book is true, but there was also a lot missing. I could never identify with it. I wrote most of the new book myself.
How do you experience Jan Ullrich and other professionals who have to deal with doping allegations?
I don't believe that my behaviour and my past should be compared with the doping problem, which probably exists in all sports. However, I can't imagine that an athlete who has realised how doping can improve their performance will ever be able to take the step of not competing. There is no real realisation among convicted athletes. That's exactly how I behaved when I realised I was addicted. I never had the feeling that I was addicted or that I had done something wrong - that's part of the clinical picture. And what about the officials, coaches, sponsors, society? Nobody manages to have a recognisable attitude towards doping. More has to change than the athlete. Otherwise it will go on like this. Unfortunately!
(Interview: Carola Felchner/Andreas Kublik, Photo: Picture Alliance/DPA)
