Dresden celebrates the brilliant comeback of the Golden Oval
A magical evening in the newly renovated Heinz Steyer Stadium, which captured the hearts of 10,000 enthusiastic spectators with thrilling races, meeting records under floodlights and lighting effects.
Words: Sven Rudolph
Photos: Florian Kurrasch
On Friday evening, Dresden experienced a spectacle of the highest order: the Heinz Steyer Stadium was not only ceremoniously reopened after two and a half years of construction, but also offered a sporting highlight with the comeback of the Golden Oval that is unparalleled in Germany. Goosebumps-inducing moments and emotional memories of the stadium's glorious past made the evening an unforgettable experience.
Around 10,000 spectators in the sold-out arena witnessed first-class sporting performances by Olympic participants from 35 nations. "The new address for sport in Dresden and in Germany," as Mayor Dirk Hilbert emphasized, was inaugurated with an impressive event.
The event had a special meaning for the multiple German champion Karl Bebendorf, who competed in his favorite discipline, the 3000 meter steeplechase, in front of a home crowd and won the race. "After an outstanding 2024 season, I experienced a real fireworks display of emotions in my hometown of Dresden yesterday," Karl summed up after the race and found words of praise for the event venue: "In the stadium where I have been training for 20 years and which, after its reopening, shines more than ever."
“The atmosphere here is incredible, you can feel an extraordinary energy in the stadium!”
-Jerome Blake
The sporting highlight of the evening came in the last race: In the 100-meter sprint, Canadian Olympic relay champion Jerome Blake triumphed with a world-class time of 10.01 seconds. "This is my first time in Dresden. The atmosphere here is incredible, you can feel an extraordinary energy in the stadium," enthused Blake after the race and promised: "I'd love to come back." The organizers were also delighted. Together with Laufszene Events GmbH from Dresden, the Dresdner SC played a key role in the comeback of the Golden Oval, a traditional Dresden event with international renown.
Impressions of the evening
