After several disappointing showings on the world stage, Gonschinka claims that the DLV is undertaking a restructuring process.

"I am convinced that this is possible," he said, as reported by DPA.

"We have ambitious goals and without them there would be no positive development.

"We are working on a spirit of optimism in the short term which also comes from the transformation within the DLV.

"We want to use the flow effect from the successful European Championships."

Germany's performance at last year's World Athletics Championships was the final straw before it was recognised that change is needed.

Malaika Mihambo picked up the country's only gold in the women's long jump.

Germany has not managed to reach top five in the Olympic athletics medals table since Atlanta 1996.

At the Games, the team won three golds, one silver, and three bronze to finish third.

Since then, Germany has finished eighth, 23rd, 30th, ninth, seventh, and 13th.

However, at its home European Championships last year in Munich, the DLV raked in 16 medals including seven golds which is hoped to provide a good platform to perform at this year's World Athletics Championships in Budapest.