Zurich calling

The 100-meter men's sprint hasn't been much of a happy hunting ground for German athletes over the last few decades. But, at the upcoming European Championships in Zurich, things may just take a turn for the better. German athlete Julian Reus recently grabbed a national record, running 10.05 seconds. That time just beat the longstanding best mark, set by former East Germany athlete Frank Emmelmann in 1985.

Now, 26-year-old Reus is hoping for a perfect run in Zurich, where he thinks he could go under 10 seconds. That would almost definitely mean a medal against Europe's traditionally strong sprint nations like France, Russia and Great Britain.

Reus is symbolic of a sea change in German athletics. It's not just the country's power athletes in shot put, discus and hammer throw that are now expected to get results - Germany's other athletes are also seen as having a chance. Even though it was almost forgotten in the controversy surrounding amputee Markus Rehm, Germany has a number of strong contenders in the long jump, for instance. Christian Reif and Sebastian Bayer are both more than capable of reaching the eight-meter mark.

Germany's decathlon athletes are also tipped by many to secure medals in Zurich. Kai Kazmirek and Rico Freimuth have been among Europe's best this year, while Pascal Behrenbruch and Michael Schrader are also in the mix. "Our guys are so pumped up for this you wouldn't believe it," says German athletics coach Rainer Pottel.

Early gold?

In fact, the Championships in Zurich could begin with a medal for Germany. David Storl is the favorite in shot put, and is aiming to beat the 22-meter mark. "I always improve on my best performances at the big moments of the season," said the current World Champion and defending title holder ahead of his trip to Switzerland.

In total, 47 events are due to be contested in Zurich. According to German athletics magazine "Leichtathletik," Germany could pick up 20 medals.

"I like it when there are these sorts of expectations about our medal chances", says German Athletics Association (DLV) Sports Director Thomas Kurschilgen. "It means that many people believe we are bringing a successful team to the tournament."

If the experts' predictions are even close, that would make these Championships as successful as Germany's famous European Championships campaign back in 2002 in Munich, where they picked up two gold, nine silver and eight bronze medals.

"We seem a bit stronger as a team than we were two years ago in Helsinki, and I hope that we at least perform as well as we did back then," says DLV President Clemens Prokop.

"But, we have to be aware that the competition will be stronger in Zurich this time. This is a regular European Championships - it's a bit different from what happens in an Olympic year," he added.

Harting stays relaxed

The star in Germany's 92-strong team in Zurich is definitely discus thrower Robert Harting, who has won just about everything there is to win in his discipline. "2014 is just a stepping stone on the way to the Olympics," the current world champion said ahead of the meet.

"Success here isn't so important," he added. "I still hope that I win gold at the European Championships, though." German athletics fans are hoping for Harting gold as well. After all, the over two-meter-tall athlete's familiar singlet-tearing celebrations have become a fan favorite.

Aside from Harting, a lot is expected from hammer-thrower Betty Heidler and shot-putter Christina Schwanitz. Over the 1,500 meters, Timo Benitz and Homiyu Tesfaye could also be a chance for some silverware.

In contrast, Germany's normally strong pole vaulters are not expected to achieve much in Zurich. Both World Champion Raphael Holzdeppe and Malte Mohr are not planning on coming to Switzerland. On the women's side of the draw, Silke Spiegelburg and Martina Strutz are also due to miss the competition due to injury.