Sure, fans are not allowed into the stadium because of the corona crisis and some stars have canceled. But even so, the makers are proud that they saved the German Championships 2020 with a comprehensive hygiene concept. “The whole world of athletics will be looking to Braunschweig over the weekend,” said DLV President Jürgen Kessing before the championships.
Finally running, jumping and throwing again – after tough months of pandemic, the core Olympic sport is now back on the big stage: ARD (Saturday, 5:10 p.m. to 7:55 p.m.) and ZDF (Sunday, 5:10 p.m. to 6:55 p.m.) report live from Braunschweig for almost five hours . “We are paying more attention to athletics because many other sports have not yet managed to organize high-quality competitions,” said the new head national trainer Annett Stein.
The biggest highlight will probably be the appearance of world champion Malaika Mihambo, who will compete in the long jump for the first time this summer (Sunday, 5.15 p.m.). It is “really nice” and “a glimmer of hope” that the athletics year will pick up speed with the German championships, said the 26-year-old. In times of Corona, the title fights in Braunschweig would have “a special status for all of us” even without fans in the stadium.
The men’s javelin throw (Sunday, 5.30 p.m.) is also well staffed with ex-world champion Johannes Vetter and defending champion Andreas Hofmann. In addition, the appearance of sprint climber Deniz Almas over 100 m (Saturday, 7:50 p.m.) is eagerly awaited. However, after the Olympic Games were postponed to next year, numerous prominent athletes have now also canceled the “Mini-Tokyo” in Braunschweig: For example, medium-distance ace Konstanze Klosterhalfen, Olympic javelin champion Thomas Röhler and sprinter Gina Lückenkemper are not there for various reasons Decathlon world champion Niklas Kaul or Christoph Harting, Olympic discus champion from Rio.
It borders on a small miracle that the championships of athletes can even take place despite Corona. Because in contrast to the football or basketball professionals, athletes, who mostly still have a real job or are studying, cannot simply be put in quarantine. And so a comprehensive hygiene concept had to be developed in order to meet the requirements of the authorities. Of course, keep your distance and wear a mask.
In addition, the stadium will be divided into four zones, in which you can only move in the one-way system, only 999 people are allowed to be in the stadium at the same time. The competitions will be held in four sessions. Changing rooms and showers remain closed, the throwers must bring their own tools. The winners have to put their medals on themselves. Corona rapid tests are no longer necessary due to a new regulation.
Overall, the DLV is making a huge effort. Of course, also in order to keep the financial losses caused by Corona as low as possible. “The loss would have been in the high six-figure range,” said Kessing, had the championships been canceled. But they take place. And the world of athletics is looking to Braunschweig at the weekend. SID
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