The former President of UEG, Klaus Lotz, passed away

With great sadness the international and German gymnastics family must take farewell to KLaus LOTZ. The longtime UEG-President (1992 -2003) and since then honorary president as well as an honorary member of the German Gymnastics Federation (DTB), died on Tuesday, December 17at the age of 78 years. After an 10-year membership since 1982 in the Control Commission of the European Gymnastics Union as treasurer (1985) and later as Vice President (1990), he gave from 1993 UEG president a decade considerable impetus to the development and modernization of the continental gymnastics federation. Unforgettable is its commitment in terms of the modernization of events and forms of competition in dealing with the modern forms of communication age.
Originating from Bad Ems in the German province Rhineland-Palatinate and born into a Gymnastics family, Lotz was an active gymnast in his youth before starting a career as an administrator and official in numerous bodies governing the sport. In 2004, the DTB decorated Lotz with honorary membership, the federation’s highest award, acknowledging his 40 years of volunteer work for German Gymnastics and culminating in his roles as Treasurer and Vice President. Following the prestigious designation of DTB honorary member, Lotz bowed out of his functions as an active official the same year.
On European level, Lotz earned outstanding merits as UEG President from 1994 to 2004 after serving as the union’s treasurer from 1985 to 1989 and Vice President from 1990 to 1993. During his decade-long presidency, Lotz successfully turned the UEG (founded in 1982) into a financially strong and independent sports organisation.
One of Lotz’s main concerns was the development of Gymnastics, with the aim of increasing the sport’s attractiveness to the media and sponsors. He worked towards the accomplishment of these goals by standardising competition formats, organising TV-friendly events and increasing professionalism in the field of public relations.