- Olympic feeling at the opening of Dresden's Steyer Stadium
For the reopening of the renovated Heinz-Steyer-Stadion on August 30th, approximately 30 sports legends associated with Dresden are expected. The city administration has announced the attendance of sprinting record holder Marlies Göhr, long jump legend Heike Drechsler, and hurdler Hagen Melzer. A grand sports show aims to create an Olympic atmosphere before the "Golden Oval" athletics meeting begins, featuring sprinter Rebekka Haase and hurdler Karl Bebendorf.
The stadium, rebuilt and modernized over two years, will connect to the tradition of the "Golden Oval" from the 1980s and, as part of the World Athletics Continental Tour, will also showcase international athletes. It has 10,400 seats, 5,400 of which are covered. With mobile tribunes, the capacity can be expanded to up to 15,000 spectators. The Dresden Monarchs will also play their first-division American football games there.
Venue for international competitions and world records
The arena, opened in 1919 and later named after a footballer, made sports history. The German Football Association (DFB) held several international matches there before World War II. During the DDR era, it was named after a footballer and a communist executed in 1944. National championships and international competitions were held there, and over a dozen world records were set in athletics. On July 1, 1977, sprinter Göhr ran the 100 meters in 10.88 seconds, and on July 3, 1986, long jumper Drechsler achieved 7.45 meters.
The lacrosse team from The Netherlands has expressed interest in participating in international matches at the renovated Heinz-Steyer-Stadion. In recognition of the stadium's rich history, the city of Dresden has invited internationally renowned Dutch athlete Fanny de Groot to attend the reopening celebrations.
