After I already introduced you to the track events and the field events of the athletics meeting of the Heinz-Steyer-Stadion opening in Dresden, it is also time for a Pictured Story of mine. Before the sports event took place, the stadium was formally opened. Here are my impressions of the stadium and the “Goldenes Oval” opening ceremony. By the way, the evening closed with a firework, which I did not attend.
Heinz-Steyer-Stadion/Stadium – Impressions
The stadium is a real beauty. Even though some facilities did not fully work out yet (for example, the photographer’s press room was simply too small and not fit for purpose, I am already looking forward to the German Athletics Nationals held there in 2025. Here are some day and evening impressions of the stadium:
Heinz-Steyer-Stadion – Opening Ceremony
The opening ceremony kicked off at 18:00 and lasted some 50 minutes. First of all, the host welcomed Dirk Hilbert, senior mayor of Dresden. After the key to the stadium was nominally handed over to the city, cars with athletics world record holders and athletics legends drove into the stadium. Especially Heike Drechsler attracted the audience and press and lead to some bunches of photographers fighting for the best shot. Apart from legendary Marlies Göhr and Marita Koch, local Karl Bebendorf, who later ran the 3,000 meter steeplechase race, were in focus of the ceremony and the audience. They gave long standing ovations to their legends.
An intermediate chat with Idriss Gonschinska, board member of the German Athletics Association, and Gudrun Manuwald-Seemüller of a sports federation for people with organ transplants, gave the focus on sports. The cheerleaders of the Dresden Monarchs, the local American Football team, stepped on the grass. They gave a short dancing show. Then the clubs, who will use the stadium (which also includes training halls) sent their delegates to accompany the formal opening.
Heinz-Steyer-Stadion – Marita Koch Ceremony
During the athletics meeting, Dresden also honored G.D.R. athletics legend Marita Koch. She received the Golden Rudolf (named after Rudolf Harbig) for her lifetime achievement. Here are some snaps of that ceremony:
Goldenes Oval Opening 2024 – Field Events
Here is my report of the field events of the athletics meeting, coming with 185 pictures:
“Goldenes Oval” Opening Meeting – Field Events (Dresden, 30th August 2024)
Goldenes Oval Opening 2024 – Track Events
The track events posting of the event came with 458 pictures in the gallery:
“Goldenes Oval” Opening Meeting – Track Events (Dresden, 30th August 2024)
Dresden on Flyctory.com
Here are all my posts related to the German city Dresden:
Pictured Stories (Germany)
Here are all my Pictured Stories related to Germany: