European Championships: Munich in the build-up mood

Created: 08/02/2022, 12:44 p.m

By: Nico-Marius Schmitz

Europe's best sport climbers duel at Königsplatz.

© Marc Mueller

The European Championships in Munich will start on August 11th.

More and more competition venues can already be seen.

And the medals have already been presented.

Munich – world champion, two-time European champion – Oliver Zeidler has had many medals hung around his neck during his sporting career.

But the rower was particularly enthusiastic about the one he was presented with on Monday: "You can see now what you're doing it all for.

What to fight for.

That's one of the most beautiful medals I've ever seen."

The medals for the European Championships (11th - 21st August) were presented at Marienplatz.

In the eleven days, 177 sets of medals will be awarded to 4700 athletes.

So much for the statistics, off to the emotions.

It is just a dream, says Christina Hering, to finally be able to run in the Olympic Stadium.

The 800m runner has been training there every day for ten years.

"It would be a dream to win a medal at the European Championships at home.

I like it very much,” says the Munich native: “But the European competition is super strong.”

Coveted pieces: The medals from the European Championships © Photo: Marc Müller

The design of the medal is based on the famous tent roof of the Olympic Stadium.

The individual curves of the roof can be felt by the athletes.

The logo on the front is attached.

Another – Bavarian – specialty: "The crossed medal ribbon is a visual reference to the crossed "arms" of the Munich pretzel," says Creative Director Florian Weber.

In addition, every athlete can have their own name engraved on the medal if they are successful.

Hering and Zeidler posed with their mascot "Gfreidi" in front of the town hall.

The event should be tangible for Munich - and beyond.

"Now you can hardly believe that it's the last few days before it starts," said sports mayor Verena Dietl: "We'll use the last few days to create a good atmosphere again."

In any case, Munich is in the mood to build up.

The first competition venues can already be seen – or guessed at – at Odeonsplatz, Königsplatz or in the Olympic Park.

The medals were convincing, now it's all up to the athletes.

"I will give everything to be successful," says Oliver Zeidler.

nms

Ticket discount: Dear readers, with the code "Merkur2022" you will receive a 22 percent discount on all tickets in price categories 1 - 4 in the European Championships ticket shop.

The promotion is valid until August 4th, 2022.