No spectators, no atmosphere, no income – gloomy prospects for sports organizers. But a new app and a hygiene concept could be a ray of hope.
by Andreas Bellinger
The long breath has been used up. While the competition in the professional sports leagues takes place in its own normality despite the corona pandemic, the makers of other sports events dream of finally being able to end the forced standstill and save their events from ruin. The surfers at the North and Baltic Seas, for example, who have been left on dry land for a year. In May they want to dance over the waves again – if organizer Matthias Regber has his way. The traditional marathon in Hanover, on the other hand, has already been canceled. “It doesn’t work without a spectator,” said organizer Stefanie Eichel in the NDR Sportclub. Gloomy prospects everywhere?
A project on probation
Meanwhile, a pilot project in Rostock promises to be a glimmer of hope. Maybe. If the state government of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania gives its okay and the incidence value – contrary to the current national trend – remains at a particularly low level, a maximum of 1,000 spectators could soon be admitted to the Hansa Rostock football stadium, for example, or around 300 basketball fans in the hall of the Second division club Seawolves.
Mayor Madsen wants a quick “go” from the state government. A decision must be made by Monday with a view to the Hansa home game. more
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Equipped with a PCR or rapid test that is not older than 24 hours. The recently developed app “Luca”, the license of which was bought by the state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, is intended to ensure that possible infections can be tracked quickly. Even without a mobile phone using a keychain and QR code. If the concept proves itself, the number of viewers should be increased gradually.
Mayor Madsen: “A really good concept”
“What we are planning to do here has no economic aspects,” says Andre Jürgens. It should be a way to slowly get closer to normal again. “Maybe to accompany the whole thing scientifically and to collect knowledge,” said the managing director of Seawolves. “The clubs have come up with a really good concept,” said the non-party mayor of the Hanseatic city, Claus Ruhe Madsen, the NDR. A pilot project that could help sport, but also culture, across the borders of the north.
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VIDEO: Madsen on the return of fans: “Hopefully the first building block has been set” (3 min)
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DEL boss Tripcke: “Have to live with the virus“
The German Ice Hockey League (DEL) pursues a different concept to enable clubs like the Grizzlys Wolfsburg to play in front of fans again. A so-called tracker, which is worn by the audience as a clip or on a lanyard, flashes and starts beeping if someone approaches too close and there is a risk of corona infection. “Corona will continue to challenge us. We have to live with the virus,” said DEL managing director Gernot Tripcke. The mini-transmitter coupled with the smartphone is “an important component” so that “hockey can once again take place in front of spectators in the future”.
Riders need spectators
The Hamburg show jumping and dressage derby is still hoping for spectators. Because, of course, the traditional tournament planned for the end of August in Hamburg-Klein Flottbek, like other events, is also difficult to cut economically under the restrictions imposed by the pandemic. The event is at least on the brink. But also because without visitors there is simply no atmosphere. “We actually need the audience to play in all areas such as the exhibition, the VIP area and so on,” said tournament director Volker Wulff. It is quite possible that “Pulvermann’s Grave” will get an involuntary rest for another year.
Life anchor for the surfers
The “wave riders” meanwhile think in two directions. “We have to plan our regattas on sight,” said Regber, who organizes the Kitesurf Masters as well as the Windsurf Cup: “Realize the minimum goal and at the same time keep the option open to make the event bigger and more beautiful. If possible.”
“We want to keep the competitions alive beyond the pandemic and get our sport back on its feet.” Matthias Regber
Economic considerations should take a back seat this year. It seems that at least the required hygiene and distance rules are easier to follow on the water.
Marathon takes perseverance
Of course, giving up is not an option for Stefanie Eichel either. There is no alternative to the so-called “running stage” for the break this year forced by the corona pandemic. Hanover and its traditional event is “a city festival, an adventure marathon”. But how should that work without spectators celebrating themselves and all the athletes? This is not even primarily about the money that the visitors might spend or – to stay in the picture – by the wayside. “Marathon is an endurance sport – we are learning that right now,” says Eichel with a touch of irony. “It’s just our heart project.”
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