Small club, big event: The Leichlinger TV hosts the German para championships in athletics on the weekend (13th/14th June). A lot of work for the club, but also a huge joy.
In the past few weeks and months, work has been carried out vigorously on the Balker Aue, the pretty sports center of the Leichlinger TV not far from the Wupper. The discus facility got a wheelchair-friendly access and a completely new coat of paint. A mini-laboratory was set up for the inspectors of the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) and even the sand in the long jump pit exchanged the many helpers.
“We took out the kindergarten sand and filled the pit with a fine-grained professional sand”explains Manfred Schmitz, the Athletics boss of the Leichlinger TV. After all, not anyone comes to the small town ten kilometers north of Leverkusen on Friday and Saturday, but among others Markus Rehm, the multiple paralympics winner in the long jump.
Professional conditions For the professionals
“Rehm is a full professional, which should also jump under professional conditions”explains Schmitz the great effort. In addition to Rehm, Schmitz will welcome the entire German para-athletics elite alongside Rehm. For example, Irmgard Bensusan and Johannes Floors (each sprint) and shot puters Nico Kappel in Leichlingen are also at the start.
The organization of the German Championships is a mega event for the club comparatively small with 500 members. 160 athletes from 57 clubs from East Frisia to Munich give their response in the running, jumping and throwing disciplines.
Participants from eight nations
Since the championship is advertised as an international competition, a special flair even blows through the city on the Wupper. “We also have athletes from the USA, Japan by Ukraine and even one from India”, “ Explains Schmitz and at the same time refers to the international tender of the event, in which the participants can qualify for the Para World Championships in September in India.
Around four months ago, the request from the German Disabled Sports Association and the National Olympic Committee came to whether the LTV could handle the championships. Orgachef Schmitz and his fellow campaigners had to go.
We slowly said yes
A lot of support for the LTV
“Then we slowly said yes,” recalls Schmitz. A yes, it also fell because Schmitz could put great help. Around 90 volunteers help. “We’re doing this for the first time, we are very proud of it”, says the department head, formerly a first -class discus thrower. The city of Leichlingen also supports the orientation.
Langer Irmgard Bensusan
Originally, the championships at the large neighbor in Leverkusen were to be organized, but its Fritz-Jacobi sports facility is being renovated, so a replacement location was needed. The choice quickly fell on the LTV, anyway something like the training center for the big neighbor.
Prominent coach
Many young athletics talents that start at LTV later switch to Leverkusen. Several well-known coaches such as high jump Olympic champion Ulrike Nasse-Meyfarth, Paul-Heinz Wellmann (Middle Train), Klaus Isekenmeier (decathlon) or Leszek Klima (stick high jump), who have found a new home in Leichlingen, also ensure that the good reputation as a cadrees.
The highlights of the championship will be clenched on Friday afternoon: from 3:15 p.m. the javelin throw will take place, 3:45 p.m. the 100 meter end runs and from 5:15 p.m. the long jump of men with Markus Rehm and Léon Schäfer. The 200-meter runs in which Johannes Floors strictly meets Felix will follow in the highlight block from 12.15 p.m. from 12.45 p.m.
Our sources:
- Interview with Manfred Schmitz
- Press release TSV Bayer Leverkusen
- German disabled sports association
