What a legendary evening at the European Athletics Championships in Munich! Thrilling competitions and beaming winners – first and foremost sprint queen Gina Lückenkemper, who sensationally won gold in the 100 meters. The fastest woman in Europe will also compete at the ISTAF on September 4, as will the strong German discus throwers Kristin Pudenz (silver) and Claudine Vita (bronze). Decathlon giant Niklas Kaul was also invited last night after his gold triumph. The ISTAF in Berlin’s Olympic Stadium is turning into a big European Championships party.
ISTAF meeting director Martin Seeber: “The track and field athletes thrilled the spectators in Munich and an audience of millions on television yesterday with sensational performances. Together with the ISTAF fans, we want to celebrate the European Championship heroes in the Berlin Olympic Stadium on September 4. We are delighted that Gina Lückenkemper and the discus medalists Kristin Pudenz and Claudine Vita will be at the ISTAF. But now we wish Gina a speedy recovery and hope that her fall at the finish line will not have any consequences for her further start at the European Championships with the relay team. We invited Niklas Kaul yesterday evening, the decathlon European champion can of course choose the discipline. It would be huge if he also comes to Berlin.”
A possible discipline for the new decathlon king would be the javelin throw – in his triumph Niklas Kaul had catapulted the 800 gram sports equipment to a sensational 76.05 meters.
In addition to the javelin throw, twelve other disciplines are compactly scheduled for a Sunday afternoon at the ISTAF: women: 100 m, 100 m hurdles, 400 m, 5000 m, long jump, discus throw; men: 100 m, 110 m hurdles, 1500 m, high jump, pole vault, javelin throw, para-shot put. “The disciplines will be finalized after the European Championships. We want to bring as many German medal winners of the European Championships and stars from all over the world as possible to the Berlin Olympic Stadium for the athletics fans and celebrate a big athletics party,” says Martin Seeber.
ISTAF crowd favorite Gina Lückenkemper secured European Championship gold yesterday in a thrilling European Championship final in 10.99 seconds ahead of the Swiss Mujinga Kambundji, who finished at the same time, and turned the Olympic Stadium in Munich into a madhouse. The German women discus throwers were already celebrating. With a personal best (67.87 meters) and only eight centimeters behind the Croatian Sandra Perkovic, Kristin Pudenz from Potsdam won silver. Claudine Vita (65.20 meters) was delighted with her bronze triumph. Team-mate Shanice Craft (62.78 meters), who finished seventh, will also be competing at the ISTAF.
ISTAF tickets 22 percent cheaper during the European Championships
Big ISTAF ticket special for all athletics fans: During the European Championships in Munich, all ISTAF tickets in categories 2 to 5 are now 22 percent cheaper. Tickets and further information by telephone on the ISTAF ticket hotline 030 30 111 86-30 and online in the ticket store!
Photo: Gladys Chai von der Laage