ISTAF and Golazo Group Agree Strategic Partnership: “We Want to Make Athletics More Attractive”
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PRESS RELEASE 15.12.2018 ISTAF and Golazo Group agree Strategic Partnership: “We want to make Athletics more attractive” BERLIN. New partner for Germany’s oldest and biggest athletics meeting: the Golazo Group and TOP Sportevents GmbH, which organizes ISTAF, the international stadium meeting which was founded in 1921, and ISTAF INDOOR, established in 2014, are to join forces with immediate effect. This strategic partnership combines the strengths of two experts in the field of innovative athletics events. The Golazo Group organizes numerous athletics events in Belgium, France, Germany and the Netherlands, including meetings in Brussels (Diamond League) and Liege, the Night of Athletics in Heusden-Zolder in Belgium as well as Cross Country races and Marathons in Rotterdam, Brussels, Düsseldorf and other European Cities. At the head of the Golazo Group is the former Belgian international athlete and Olympian Bob Verbeeck. Henceforth Golazo will be a partner of TOP Sportevents GmbH, which organizes ISTAF and ISTAF INDOOR. Martin Seeber will continue to lead TOP Sportevents GmbH as well as being head of TOP Sportmarketing Berlin GmbH in addition to his role as meeting director of both ISTAF and ISTAF INDOOR. Bob Verbeeck: “ISTAF has many aspects in common with our meeting in Brussels. It is also a meeting with great tradition, taking place in a unique stadium with fantastic fans. The best athletes in the world compete alongside national contenders and young talent on the rise. We are delighted that ISTAF and ISTAF INDOOR are now part of the Golazo family.” Martin Seeber: “Just like ISTAF and ISTAF INDOOR, Golazo stands for innovation and modern presentation of athletics. With this partnership we will strengthen the standing of Berlin as a venue for athletics as well as further developing ISTAF and ISTAF INDOOR to make them even better for the future. ISTAF remains a strong Berlin event with deep roots in Berlin and with strong regional partners. The close cooperation with Bob Verbeeck and his Golazo group is to create a synergy in marketing, raise the international level and further develop the sport’s presentation. Together we are stronger – together we will make athletics more attractive!” Golazo Group – www.golazo.com ISTAF Indoor, Friday 1 February 2019 – www.istaf-indoor.de ISTAF Berlin, Sunday 1 September 2019 – www.istaf.de If you would like further information, logos and picture material or have questions concerning this press release, please contact: Sven Ibald Head of Communications ISTAF / ISTAF INDOOR TOP Sportevents GmbH Hanns-Braun-Straße / Friesenhaus 1 / 14053 Berlin Tel: +49 (0)30 30 111 86 13 E-Mail: [email protected] www.istaf-indoor.de PRESS RELEASE August 31, 2018 One Big Athletics Party with Emotions to match at 77th ISTAF 29 European medallists to compete / Robert Harting celebrates his farewell from top-class sport / It all starts on Sunday at 1320 with the European champion Christin Hussong BERLIN. Gold medallists, record hunters and rematches from the European Championships everywhere you look: that’s how the 77th edition of ISTAF aims to be one big party at the end of a fantastic summer for track and field athletics. Three weeks after the European Championships a host of medallists from EM 2018 and top stars from around the world will going about their business on Sunday, September 2 in Berlin’s Olympic Stadium. The fast- moving reprise for the European Championships, all in one afternoon, will also be a farewell party: everyone’s favourite Kim Collins will be sprinting for the final time on the famous blue track – and Germany’s track and field idol Robert Harting will bring the curtain down on his magnificent career “in his own living room.” Meeting Director Martin Seeber says: “After the great European Championships ISTAF will be the big round-up of the track and field summer – with the biggest hits, relaxed atmosphere and emotions riding high. We are delighted that so many of those who competed at the Europeans and stars from around the world will be coming to Berlin, show their great ability once again in the Olympic Stadium and want to celebrate with the ISTAF fans. At the heart of this special ISTAF will be the final throw in the career of Robert Harting. Together with the fans we shall be saying good-bye not only to an extremely successful athlete but also a pre-eminent fighter for the values of the sport. It will surely be emotional – but also a great celebration. We want to celebrate with Robert, not mourn.” Robert Harting celebrates his Farewell in his Living Room Robert Harting and ISTAF – they have been synonymous for a decade. He first competed at the international meeting in Berlin in 2008 and was third on his debut. This was followed by his World Championship triumph in Berlin in 2009 and his subsequent appearance at ISTAF, finishing third and cheered on all sides. From 2010 to 2014 the name of the winning athlete remained the same – Robert Harting. This outstanding athlete didn’t compete here in 2015 and 2016 and last year he was fifth. His tenth appearance at ISTAF will be his final competition as an elite athlete – and it will be a very special one: an open double-decker bus will be driven into the stadium and parked ringside to the discus, providing a mobile stage for family, friends and those who have been with him through his career. “ISTAF has been my home game, my home, for years,” says Robert Harting. “In extreme situations I am delighted to be with my family, my friends – that’s why I am saying good-bye at ISTAF.” 2 The last throws of the discus ace will have the undivided attention of the entire stadium since the other competitions are scheduled to be completed by that time. Martin Seeber: “There will also be a few surprises for Robert and the fans.” 29 European Medallists, 11 European Champions 29 European Championships medallists will be in action on Sunday and 11 gold medallists from those same championships in Berlin. The following European champions will compete at ISTAF: Paulina Guba (Poland, Shot Put), Paraskevi Papachristou (Greece, Triple Jump), Elvira Herman (Belarus, 100m Hurdles), Pascal Martinot-Lagarde (France, 110m Hurdles), Ramil Guliyev (Turkey, 200m), and Harry Aikines- Aryeetey (Great Britain, 4 x 100m) The following German European champions will also compete at ISTAF: Christin Hussong (Women’s Javelin), Malaika Mihambo (Long Jump), Mateusz Przybylko (High Jump), Thomas Röhler (Men’s Javelin), Arthur Abele (Decathlon). Gina Lückenkemper: “There is nothing better than celebrating a successful European Championships at ISTAF” Gina Lückenkemper, European silver medallist for the 100m and bronze medallist in the sprint relay, is one of those looking forward to the “Final” of the track and field Super Summer in the capital. “There is nothing better than to celebrate a successful European Championships with the great fans at ISTAF. We experienced that with the relay last year. The ISTAF spectators got behind us and it was all systems go. It was just great. This year’s ISTAF will again be a great party – especially since it’s Robert’s farewell.” The ISTAF Events Men: 100m, 110m Hurdles, 1500m, High Jump, Discus, Javelin Women: 100m, 100m Hurdles, 1000m, Mile, 3000m Steeplechase, Long Jump, Shot Put, 4 x 100m, Triple Jump, Javelin 3 The Timetable The doors of the Olympic Stadium open at 1300 and it’s especially worth arriving early this time. As well as the traditional ISTAF SCHOOLS CUP the stars will also be in action. By 1320 the javelin of European champion Christin Hussong will be in flight in the arena. The track and field programme will finish shortly after 1800. For the younger ISTAF Fans: Great “Kids Club” and supervised “Pram Parking Area” ISTAF this Sunday will also offer a great time to the younger athletics fans. With the support of BSR and AOK Nordost an area of several hundred square metres has been created around Berlin’s Olympic Stadium as a “Kids Club.” Numerous chances to play, dash about and try stuff will be on offer. Among the highlights will be an appearance by Christian Bahrmann (KiKANiNCHEN). The popular Kika presenter, actor, puppeteer and singer will be on the AOK stage from 1400 with an entertainment where you can join in yourselves. Special ticket offers for children and families will be available. An ISTAF family ticket (four people) will cost only 25 Euro. More information at www.istaf.de Television: ISTAF live on ARD One and across 110 countries ARD plans to broadcast live from 1630 to 1800 on its Channel One. In addition ISTAF will also achieve a high profile internationally with the meeting broadcast in 110 countries. 7.5 kilometres of cable will be laid in the Olympic Stadium, 35 cameras and 15 editing and graphic units will be employed in the live outside broadcast. Tickets from 9 Euro Tickets for this very special ISTAF are from 9 Euro at www.istaf.de, www.tickets.istaf.de, the Tickethotline 030.30 111 86 30 (including local phone tariff while Charges on mobiles may vary) as well as at all advance booking venues. The box office at the Olympic Stadium opens on Sunday at 1200. 4 Meeting with Tradition ISTAF is the oldest track and field athletics meeting in the world. The history of event began on July 3, 1921. The sport clubs Berliner SC, SC Charlottenburg and Schwimm Club Poseidon organised initially in the old Grunewald Stadium and international between German and foreign athletes under the title of ISTAF. 20,000 spectators experienced thrilling competition which at that time included swimming events.