Ernest John Obiena won the silver medal in the pole vault at the World Championships in Budapest behind high-flyer Armand Duplantis Photo: picture alliance/ AP
By Ulrike Krieger
Zero medals at the World Championships in Budapest for the German track and field athletes. Nevertheless, the largest and oldest meeting in the world on Sunday in the Berlin Olympic Stadium will be a blast. Because at the ISTAF (starting at 1.30 p.m.) the fans will see a unique air show.
Five pole vaulters who have already crossed the magical six meters (only eleven athletes have managed that in the last ten years) are at the event ISTAF at the beginning.
Also present are Vice World Champion Ernest John Obiena (Philippines/6.00 m), World Championship bronze medalist Christopher Nilsen (USA/6.05 m), two-time World Champion Sam Kendricks (USA/6.06 m), the North American Record holder KC Lightfoot (USA/6.07 m) and Norwegian record holder Sondre Guttormsen (6.00 m).
The American Christopher Nilsen was third at the World Cup Photo: picture alliance/ USA-TODAY Sports
Right in the middle of the audience is Berlin’s Governing Mayor for the first time Kai Wegner (50/CDU), who, like meeting director Martin Seeber (59), is curious to see what the jumpers will conjure up in the air. Seeber: “It’s great that so many exceptional jumpers are coming to Berlin. The fans can look forward to a spectacular pole vault.”
KC Lightfoot and Sam Kendricks take off as the third and fourth best pole vaulters of all time (outdoor).
Info: Tickets from 14 euros, reduced 7.50 euros, www.istaf.de