Thorsten Schröder, 57, known as the presenter for the Tagesschau, has recently experienced a significant setback as he pursues his passion for athletics. While training for the Norseman Extreme Triathlon, scheduled for August 2, 2025, he suffered a broken collarbone due to an unfortunate accident during his cycling regimen on Fuerteventura.
Schröder, who has been preparing for this demanding triathlon, took to social media to share the news of his injury. He described the incident vividly, stating, "Vollbremsung auf dem Weg zum Norseman: Ein Sturz, ein Knacken, schon war das Trainingscamp vorbei, bevor es richtig angefangen hatte" (translated: "Full stop on the way to Norseman: A fall, a crack, and suddenly the training camp was over before it even started"). A video he posted on Instagram captures the moments before and after his fall, showcasing his cycling efforts followed by footage of him lying on the ground and later enjoying tea with his arm immobilized in a sling.
Despite the severity of his injury, Schröder remains optimistic about his future. He stated, "Statt Leistungsschub auf Fuerte erstmal Pause. Und trotzdem die Hoffnung, am 2.8. fit in den Eidfjord zu springen" (translated: "Instead of performance boost, it's first pause. And still the hope to jump fitly in the Eidfjord on August 2"). His resilience shines through as he looks forward to resuming his training once he recovers from surgery.
The Norseman Extreme Triathlon is notoriously regarded as one of the toughest triathlons globally, featuring distances of 3.8 kilometers of swimming, 180 kilometers of cycling, and 42.2 kilometers of running, all accompanied by more than 5,000 meters of elevation gain. The event is set to take place at Eidfjord, located about 100 kilometers east of Bergen, Norway. Many athletes across the world aspire to compete, and Schröder is no exception, having previously conquered the Ironman events held in Hawaii.
Unfortunately for attendees of his literature events, Schröder has had to reschedule his reading initially planned for March 13, 2025, in Kiel. This event will now take place on April 17, 2025, allowing him ample time for recovery. He has confirmed, though, his reading on March 27, 2025, in Hamburg will proceed as originally planned. The humor and charm with which he approaches his situation is evident, as he joked on Instagram about keeping fingers crossed for no additional injuries: "Die Lesung am 27.3. bleibt aber … wenn ich mir nicht noch was anderes breche" (translated: "The reading on March 27 will still happen … if I don't break anything else").
Throughout his career, Thorsten Schröder has established himself not only as a prominent journalist but also as an avid sports enthusiast and author. His dedication to triathlons has led him to write about his experiences, including his book titled "Mit jeder Faser – Mein Weg zum härtesten Triathlon der Welt" (translated: "With Every Fiber – My Path to the Toughest Triathlon in the World"). He also penned “Nachrichten vom Ironman,” detailing his adventures and preparation for Ironman competitions.
Having been with NDR since 1991 and with Tagesschau since 1999, Schröder has fulfilled the dual roles of sports presenter and reporter, featuring prominently sports events and showcasing his commitment to fitness and well-being. His long-standing connection with the public and fundraising efforts for the clubs like FC St. Pauli have made him not just another face among presenters, but rather part of the community.
Recovery from his collarbone surgery will be his immediate priority, as he hopes to bounce back and continue his preparations for the Norseman. Despite the challenges he faces, his continued optimism and commitment to the sport exemplify his character as both a professional and individual.
The community will be following Schröder's progress closely, rallying around him as he navigates this brief but significant detour on his athletic path. Meanwhile, the countdown to the Norseman triathlon continues, and both his fans and fellow athletes will eagerly await his return to the sport he loves.