By Ulrike Krieger
158 top athletes from all over the world will burn fireworks again on Sunday in the Berlin Olympic Stadium (from 2 p.m./ZDF live from 4.55 p.m.) at the ISTAF. The oldest and largest meeting in the world celebrates athletics again shortly before the end of the season.
The ISTAF is traditionally a very special meeting because it has given the German track and field stars a stage for years. But this year, the ISTAF organizers found it difficult to present it to their fans. Because they are either injured, ill or did worse than hoped at the World Cup in Budapest.
The organizers are expecting 30,000 spectators to celebrate in the Olympic Stadium for the first time without a German medal winner.
After the German World Cup debacle, meeting director Martin Seeber (59) has a good idea, he gives the young German track and field athletes a chance to gain important experience with an ISTAF start. This is how Rosina Schneider (19/TV Sulz) and the two Berliners Gavin Claypool (19/SCC) and Lilith Belau (15/NSF) make their unexpected ISTAF debut.
Sprint talent Lilith Belau (U18 DM silver over 200 m), who will only be 16 in December, slips into the 100 meter field for the injured European champion Gina Lückenkemper (26) and is the youngest starter on Sunday. At the ISTAF, the student is supported by around 40 members of the Neukölln Sportfreunde club in the stands.
Hurdle sprinter Rosina Schneider, here at the junior gala in Mannheim Photo: picture alliance / Lukas Adler | Luke Adler
A start dream also comes true for Rosina Schneider. First graduated from high school (2.1), then won gold twice at the U20 European Championships in Jerusalem – Sunday the first big meeting start. With 13.06 seconds, first over 100 meter hurdles and then with the German 4 × 100 meter relay, Schneider shone at the Junior European Championships. With her best time in a hurdle, she even leads the German rankings for women. Schneider: “It was only when I got home that I realized what I had achieved in Jerusalem. I come from a town of 450 people, my house was decorated and everyone congratulated me.”
At the ISTAF, the German high-flyer meets, among others, the new hurdles world champion Danielle Williams (Jamaica): “Incredible! I’m really looking forward to competing against the big stars. And I’ve never run in front of so many spectators. I’ve already been to the ISTAF in 2020, but only as a fan myself.” And adds: “Actually, vacation was announced, but I added a three-week training block for the ISTAF. I just want to enjoy it, but also show the older ones that the next generation is coming!”