The German Olympic Sports Confederation claims the draft bill hasn't brought about any notable improvements for people with disabilities ©DOSB

The German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) has criticised a draft sports participation bill, adopted last month by the country’s Federal Cabinet, claiming it hasn't brought about any notable improvements for people with disabilities.

The draft bill was presented in April, when the DOSB was joined by the German Disabled Sports Association (DBS), the German Deaf Sports Federation (DGS) and Special Olympics Germany (SOD) in expressing its reservations.

DBS vice-president Thomas Härtel criticised the bill in several areas at a hearing on the first draft in May, demanding a better participatory ability for people with disabilities.

Härtel says it contains "no significant changes in terms of the demands of the sports federations".

There are now calls from the DOSB for the bill to be revised.

Swimmer Claudia Hengst is among Germany's most successful Paralympians ©Wikipedia
Swimmer Claudia Hengst is among Germany's most successful Paralympians ©Wikipedia

Germany has participated in every edition of both the Summer and Winter Paralympics.

Then West Germany, the country hosted the 1972 Summer Games in Heidelberg, where they finished top of the medals table with 28 golds, 17 silvers and 22 bronzes.

Among the nation’s most successful Paralympians is swimmer Claudia Hengst, a 13-time gold medallist.