In the end, the team from Glasgow won, ahead of team Berlin, Brussels, Helsinki and Paris.
Photo: Ulrike Krieger
By Ulrike Krieger
100 athletics talents from five cities took part in the first “European City Challenge” in the Berlin Sportforum on Saturday. In the city comparison, U18 athletes from Glasgow, Helsinki, Paris, Brussels and Berlin competed against each other in nine disciplines, but the team performance was counted.
Long jump legend Heike Drechsler (57) was a fan in the stands. She is happy about the new Mini-ISTAF: “It’s a great idea that needs to grow now so that the youngsters stick with it and don’t throw in the towel at some point due to a lack of motivation. New formats and an exchange with other nations are very important.”
The Olympic champion, who has lived in Berlin for a long time, brought her husband Arto Bryggare (64) with her. The former Finnish hurdler took care of the team from Helsinki.
In the end, the Glasgow team won ahead of teams from Berlin, Brussels, Helsinki and Paris.
The winning team from Glasgow Photo: Ulrike Krieger
In addition to sport, the program for the host, the Berlin Athletics Association, also included the exchange of experiences and a bit of fun for the 16-year-old athletes. After a stroll through the city, there was a reception at the Berlin Senate and on Sunday an exclusive tour of the Berlin Olympic Stadium.