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German gold medal hope Pascal Ackermann is eyeing a return at European Championships Munich 2022, boldly proclaiming: “I want the European Champion jersey."

Top German cyclist Pascal Ackermann poised for Munich 2022 Road Race return

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Published on 18 May 2022German gold medal hope Pascal Ackermann is eyeing a return at European Championships Munich 2022, proclaiming: “I want the European Champion jersey."In 2019, Ackermann raced to two stage wins in the Giro d'Italia for the Bora–Hansgrohe team, becoming the first German rider to win the&nbsp;points classification in the famous Italian Grand Tour.&nbsp;

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After a promising five-year spell with Bora-Hansgrohe, this campaign Ackermann signed a two-year deal with UAE Team Emirates.Ackermann hasn’t raced competitively since suffering a hairline fracture of the coccyx on the eve of the famous Paris-Roubaix race in April. However, Ackermann refused to be downbeat, telling <a href="https://www.tour-magazin.de/profi-radsport/aktuelles/pascal-ackermann-interview-european-championships-giro-ditalia/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Tour Magazine</a> : “I think I'll be back sooner than most people think.”And the 28-year-old has his sights firmly on a successful comeback in front of the adoring German fans at European Championships Munich 2022.“For me personally, it's a huge goal,” Ackermann said.“I think I'll be in such good shape by then that they (editor's note: the German selectors) won't be able to get past me. There are a few more sprinters in Germany, but if I'm not the strongest in Germany, I wouldn't be competing for the title anyway.“I want to be really fit by the European Championships and the Vuelta. I must take the positives out of it and keep telling myself that my fall will be beneficial for the rest of the season.”

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For the <a href="https://www.munich2022.com/de/radsport" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Men’s Road Race</a> on Sunday, 14 August, cycling enthusiasts will be treated to an extra dose of Bavarian charm, with the scenic lakes and mountains in Murnau a. Staffelsee providing a picturesque backdrop for the hotly anticipated race into Munich.And Ackermann feels he has unfinished business on home soil.“First of all, this is a home European Championship. I also have a bone to pick with the European Championships - I've already been third there twice (editor's note: 2019 in Alkmaar, 2020 in Plouay). I want this jersey,” he vowed.Ackermann is looking forward to the race into the Bavarian capital and is confident he can use home advantage.“I think the course is perfect for me - a few mountains at the start but then flatter towards the end,” he said.

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German gold medal hope Pascal Ackermann is eyeing a return at European Championships Munich 2022, boldly proclaiming: “I want the European Champion jersey."

Vanessa Ferrari talks about her career and the European Championships Munich 2022 in an exclusive interview.

Phoenix and lioness Vanessa Ferrari on the world of gymnastics

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Published on 13 May 2022By Catiana Rettenberger&nbsp;Vanessa Ferrari has been a constant in European gymnastics for almost two decades. The Italian gymnast became the world all-around champion in 2006, and has since won four European championship titles, crowning her career with silver on floor at the Olympic Games in Tokyo. Nevertheless, the lioness isn’t done yet. We talked to Ferrari in an exclusive interview to get insight into her sport career and European gymnastics.

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From all the memories you have created throughout your career, which one is your favourite and why?It is difficult to define what my best memory is, certainly the best memories are linked to my greatest successes. The victory at the World Championships in 2006 and the recent medal in Tokyo. They are the most significant medals for me.Can you describe your passion for the sport of gymnastics?Gymnastics is my whole life, I fell in love with this sport seeing a competition on TV when I was a child and from that moment I said to my mother, I want to do gymnastics.You have been given many nicknames over the years; can you tell us about them?In my history I have been given many nicknames. The first nickname I was given, when I was still very young, is the butterfly because I moved lightly and seemed to fly. After the Mediterranean Games in Almeria in 2005 I was called the cannibal because I had won five gold medals and one silver, but I was angry because I wanted six gold medals. Then I had so many problems and I was called the phoenix because it was able to resurrect after them. I ended up the lioness before Tokyo, because I was hungry for victory, and for the tenacity it took me to pursue this result.

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To some extent the new nicknames have arrived with a new era and returns to the sport. What gave you the strength to continue?The strength to continue comes from the desire to pursue my dreams. When I pursue a dream, I set myself a goal, I do everything to pursue it.You won the all-round title at the World Championships in 2006 and have secured your first Olympic medal in Tokyo in 2021, would you say the work and all comebacks were worth it?I am fully convinced that the work, sooner or later, pays off, I think I could not have made better choices than the ones I did.&nbsp;What would you say to your 2006 self now if you could talk to her?If I could, I would tell myself to be careful of injuries, try to manage these problems better.

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You are coming back from injury at the moment. Will you be back in time for the European Championships Munich 2022?Unfortunately, due to tendon problems I had to undergo a new surgery and for this I will not be able to be present at the European Championships in Munich, because the rehabilitation process will prevent me from being there. Which is a pity as the European Championships Munich 2022 will not only host the European Artistic Gymnastics Championships, but nine Olympic sports on eleven competition days. Besides gymnastics the Bavarian capitol will welcome athletics, beach volleyball, canoe sprint, cycling, rowing, sport climbing, table tennis and triathlon athletes.

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Italy fortunately has a new generation of top-notch athletes, who grew up watching you. The young women’s team stepped up to take bronze at the 2019 World Championships in Stuttgart (I was there, and they are just "wow"!). What do you see in the future of Italian gymnastics?Italian gymnastics is constantly developing, the new generations are growing, and the movement is getting better and better. I think it's very nice because when I was little I trained in difficult conditions, now fortunately the structures are better, and this helps everyone to grow better.How do you perceive Europe’s stand as a whole on the world stage?I think that the European championships are usually of an excellent level, in the world panorama.Which women have a chance to win gold in the AA (all-around) and specifically on floor in Munich?I can't say for sure who will have the chance to win the all-around, there are also new young gymnasts of excellent level, whom I don't know. I think the competition will be a lot of fun. Regarding the floor, it could still be Jessica Gadirova, who won the last time and made it to the final at the Olympics. But gymnastics is not obvious, so we will see based on the gymnasts who will participate and especially based on their state of form, what will happen.

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Gadirova certainly is a contender for a medal at this year’s European championships. The 17-year-old won bronze on floor at the Tokyo Olympics and secured silver on vault besides her European floor title in 2021 as well. As Ferrari sadly won’t be back in time to compete in August her compatriot Martina Maggio, fourth on floor at the last European championships, has a chance to bring back a medal for Italy in Ferrari’s stead. Though Mélanie de Jesus dos Santos, the winner of the first instalment of the European Championships in Glasgow in 2018, has her eyes set on gold too.Gadirova and Maggio have just started their careers as seniors, but they have been part of the international scene at junior level beforehand. And as luck would have it Munich will stage the junior European championships as well, giving a preview of what is to come in the years ahead.The continental championships will be held at the historic Olympiahalle, where the likes of Olga Korbut and Karin Janz soared way back at the summer Olympic Games in 1972. And who knows what stories will be told about 2022 in the future?

Vanessa Ferrari of Italy competes on floor in the Women's Floor Exercise Final at the Gymnastics on day ten of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

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Vanessa Ferrari talks about her career and the European Championships Munich 2022 in an exclusive interview.

At the IFSC World Cup in Seoul, Aleksandra Mirosław shattered her own speed world record by two tenths.

Europe's sport climbing stars start their season

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Published on 9 May 2022The second instalment of the International Federation of Sport Climbing’s World Cup series took place in the South Korean capital Seoul. And with that, for the first time since October 2019, a World Cup was held on Asian soil again. 210 athletes arrived to secure important rankings in speed and boulder.Against a spectacular backdrop of three man-made waterfalls, 74 climbers warmed up for the first major speed competition of the year, including 39 men and 35 women. While 62 men and 65 women took on the boulder problems.

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<h2>Speed - Mirosław smashes own world record</h2>The trip from Poland to South Korea was worth it for Aleksandra Mirosław, even after the qualification round. The speed specialist pulverised her world record set at the Olympic Games in Tokyo. The new world’s best of 6.64 seconds is exactly two tenths below the previous world record. In an exclusive interview, the Polish speed climber told us back in February that she wanted to break her own world record this year: “Maybe in Munich. The European Championships in Munich will be my main start.&nbsp;Probably it will be the best competition for me this year.” <a href="https://www.munich2022.com/en/speed-climber-miroslaw-looks-to-beat-world-record-in-munich" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The full interview, more on her beta and her goals for this season can be found here.</a>In the final, Mirosław showed up in impeccable form again to win the title, marking the sixth time in her career she has won at an IFSC World Cup. The 28-year-old beat Emma Hunt from the USA in the final race with an impressive time of 6.72 seconds - which would also have been a world record the day before.Her compatriot Aleksandra Kałucka finished third, beating Franziska Ritter of Germany in the race for bronze.

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<h2>Boulder - Flash to gold</h2>France's Oriane Bertone followed up her phenomenal semifinal with a second-place finish in the final. The 17-year-old only just failed to top out the third boulder when she slipped centimetres short of the top. Her final score was thus three tops and four zones, which later proved to be decisive. Nevertheless, the young athlete was satisfied with the third World Cup medal of her career.The US women Natalia Grossman (four tops, four zones) and Brooke Raboutou (three tops, three zones) completed the podium. Grossman capped off a fantastic performance with a flash on problem number four, easily solving all 13 boulder problems from qualification, semifinals and finals.The Serbian Staša Gejo finished just off the podium with two tops and four zones. Camilla Moroni from Italy placed fifth with one top and two zones.

Boulder final highlights

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DOlympic champion and World Cup record holder Janja Garnbret did not compete in Seoul. After her emotional victory of the first World Cup of the season in Meiringen (Switzerland), the Slovenian has decided not to compete in further World Cups for the time being.Adam Ondra was not present in South Korea either. Instead, the Czech competed at the European Cup in Prague a few days earlier and took the gold medal there. The only non-Japanese finalist in Seoul - Frenchman Paul Jenft - finished fourth (two tops, four zones). Both Tomoa Narasaki and Kokoro Fujii topped all four boulders. But Fujii won against his compatriot due to his lower number of attempts.

Aleksandra Mirosław unterbietet beim IFSC World Cup in Seoul ihren eigenen Weltrekord im Speed-Klettern

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At the IFSC World Cup in Seoul, Aleksandra Mirosław shattered her own speed world record by two tenths.

This month’s third episode sees Vanessa Mai vying for superiority against two-time Olympian Christina Hering. 

Beat the Class - Olympian Christina Hering versus Vanessa Mai

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Published on 7 May 2022With three exciting challenges in each action-packed episode, our new monthly six-part series&nbsp;<a href="https://www.munich2022.com/en/beat-the-class" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Beat the Class</a>&nbsp;pits a popular celebrity against one of our elite&nbsp;<a href="https://www.munich2022.com/en/class-of-22" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Class of 22</a>&nbsp;athletes.

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This month’s third episode sees chart-topping German singer Vanessa Mai vying for superiority against two-time Olympian Christina Hering.&nbsp;See how sports loving Vanessa fares against Munich born Christina. Who will make the swiftest progress in a hotly-contested pedalo race? Who has all the answers in a testing quiz? Can Christina sprint to success wearing a brake parachute? Watch the latest episode of Beat the Class here!

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Don’t forget to subscribe to Beat the Class! It’s must-watch entertainment and in the lead up to Munich 2022, a new episode follows every month on our&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/munich2022" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">YouTube channel</a>.

Vanessa Mai und Christina Hering treten in der dritten Episode von Beat the Class gegeneinander an

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This month’s third episode sees Vanessa Mai vying for superiority against two-time Olympian Christina Hering.&nbsp;

Beat the Class – Olympian Christina Hering versus Vanessa Mai

Thomas Röhler is looking forward to the European Championships Munich 2022. In an exclusive interview, the Olympic javelin champion talks about his anticipation of his second home European Championships and the peculiarities of javelin throwing.

Thomas Röhler: Javelin misconceptions and Munich 2022

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In the past, there was nothing for Thomas Röhler other than winning, either he finished the competition with a gold medal around his neck or did not stand on the podium at all. "That is javelin throwing. That's also a bit of an all-or-nothing mentality," the 30-year-old says today. The 2016 Olympic javelin champion and reigning European champion returns after several years plagued by injuries. We sat down with the athlete in an exclusive interview. Because this season, nothing less than defending his European title at another home European Championships is on the agenda.But this season there is a minimum goal even before that. "For me, it's first about just getting back on track after a few really stupid injury years and covid years." It's supposed to be the uphill climb after the ongoing downhill slide of his rollercoaster career. And things are indeed looking up. That was evident in the first training camps this year. "I'm really happy, the training results are back where they should be. The body is simply responding the way I want it to, it's sending the signals I want it to. It also feels bad sometimes, and that's completely okay."

Everyday life as an athlete

Usually, the Thuringian trains twice a day for about one and a half hours, on five days a week. But "being an athlete is by no means over after the on-site training." You need to focus on active recovery such as ice baths and physiotherapy and training analyses. It's "a huge challenge to reconcile family and top performance sport." During the competition season, there is also the travelling. "We travel a lot and have about 15 competitions a year that take place outside of Germany."This year's first event will even take place outside Europe. The season opener for Röhler is the Diamond League Meeting in Doha on 13 May. While the last scheduled competition is not until September. "It will be a long competition season. I've been away from competitions for a long time, which means that the process of working with competitions again is starting now."

European Championships, take two

And this year there are many top-class competitions on the agenda. Among them are the European Championships in Munich. The renewed home European Championships on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Olympiapark has a very special significance. Röhler has been the reigning European champion since the first edition of the European Championships in 2018 due to the cancellation of the 2020 European Championships. The multi-sport event was split between Glasgow and Berlin at the time. Since the home victory, he often hears the same question: "I was often asked the question 'Olympic victory or European Championships 2018?' and I always had to think about it. And that shows that the event was so special."The Olympics reign supreme, he says, "but emotionally I have to say 2018 got to me." The jump into the water pit shows that ecstasy. Röhler says the 2018 European Championships were like an adaptation of a movie script. Five javelin throwers had what it took to win, but ultimately it was, the formerly too-slim field athlete, who was crowned European champion."That home crowd feeling, that's special, that stays. It's the same at home meets. It's always something special to compete in the national jersey. All athletes would probably agree with that." Four years later, the European Championships return, this time united in Munich and with nine European Championships on the programme.

No new stadiums or halls have been built for the competitions. Instead, most of the competitions will be held in the original 1972 arenas. "I think it's super sustainable. It's just using sports venues that are there. It's inviting sports that fit together. The fans just have a cool product."This togetherness is what makes the multi-sport event special for the javelin thrower. And he himself hopes to get to watch other sports. But which one most? "Next door: gymnastics. I think it's cool, I'm a total fan. It's also part of our training. [...] Javelin throwing is very much characterised by mobility and functional movements and also coordination. And that's all reflected in gymnastics as well." Timewise, however, it will unfortunately be difficult for Röhler to follow other sports, as the focus is on his own competition. Therefore, the thrower will not see the men's apparatus finals, as they will take place on the last day (21 August), just like the javelin throw final.

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However, the European Championships Munich 2022 already start on 11 August, among others with gymnastics. Maybe he can spare an hour for active regeneration and inspiration then.There is no lack of alternative pastimes with the nine Olympic sports and the festival "The Roofs". There is also bound to be a common window of time to get to know the mascot Gfreidi better and test the squirrel's athleticism. "I'm looking forward to seeing Gfreidi throwing javelins then."

Exception to the rule: the javelin and braking

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The mascot will have a hard time learning how to throw the javelin, however, because it is fundamentally different from all other disciplines in athletics. "We also like to describe it as a human crash."All disciplines’ focal point is acceleration, only the javelin throwers focus on braking instead. When the run-up is slowed down abruptly, the energy is at best transferred - in its entirety - into the speed of the javelin by means of impulse transfer. But this requires certain essentials: "If this braking is disturbed, i. e. due to technical errors or slipping of the foot, then of course the javelin does not fly well. [...] That's why it's so important to really have a good track that can withstand the athlete." This is always a point of discussion. But weather conditions, footwear and one's throwing technique also play a role."So, the perfect sprint track is definitely not the perfect javelin track. That's a given." But Röhler is satisfied with the tartan laid out so far, which he inspected in the Olympiastadion in spring. The rest of the track is not yet ready for a cross-check by a sprinter.

Misunderstandings about javelin

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Many assume that strength is crucial in sprinting as well as javelin throwing. "I think that's a misconception that's prevalent all the way up to the youth level." At his coaching camps in Jena, the former German record holder explains that distances of up to 70 metres can and should come from technique alone and not from strength. Nevertheless, Röhler says he himself is far from perfect. One could even make a substantial list of his errors, despite his success and personal best of 93.90 metres.Still, Germany is one of the most successful javelin-throwing nations in the world, how come? According to the man from Jena, there just happened to be many puzzle pieces that fit into each other: a strong class of athletes, that has pushed the inner-German competition since their youth, a very experienced coaching team and an immense research advantage.Therefore, an all-German podium at the World or European Championships is theoretically possible this year, he said. "We dream of it, have tried it again and again. Maybe it's meant to be in Munich."

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From jumps to throws

Such dreams came late in his career. "I never planned to be an Olympic athlete or anything. It was just my hobby for a long time." Nevertheless, the Thuringian was able to turn this pastime into a career. He "always threw stones into the Baltic Sea as a little kid." But passion alone was not enough to make the squad."I was simply one of the guys who developed a bit more slowly." But even at the sports school, standards had to be met. In the triple jump he was able to produce them, otherwise the 2016 Olympic champion would have had to leave the sports school prematurely. "My heart was always hung up on the throw, though, but it didn't make sense. I was just too slim."With a new coach, changes at the base, and a subsequent transition year in the decathlon, Röhler arrived at the javelin throw at the late age of 18.

Dad and role model

The Olympic champion also wants to keep all options open for his almost two-year-old son, even if it doesn't look like it at times. "Children watch you, I had to realise that too. Without me teaching him to throw the javelin, he's already running through the hall with the foam rocket, and it looks like someone has taught him. But I swear we haven't," he says with a laugh.He simply enjoys being an approachable, tangible role model for kids or even new talent. "I think it's nice when kids recognise athletes while grocery shopping. Pointing is also completely okay, and then go 'I know him, and he's completely normal.' That's actually nice."

Thomas Röhler fokussiert sich beim Einwerfen für einen Wettkampf auf seine Speere.

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Thomas Röhler is looking forward to the European Championships Munich 2022. In an exclusive interview, the Olympic javelin champion talks about his anticipation of his second home European Championships and the peculiarities of javelin throwing.

100 days remain until the start of the biggest multi-sport event in 50 years. On this occasion, the organising committee also presents the first headliners, including US star Gayle, for the festival The Roofs.

European Championships Munich 2022 on the final stretch

Published on 3 May 2022Malaika Mihambo jumps on the roof of Olympiastadion. All nine sports will take to Munich’s night sky. With an impressive light show above Olympiastadion, European Championships Munich 2022 are ringing in the final countdown - 100 days remain until the start of the biggest multi-sport event in 50 years. On this occasion, the organising committee also presents the first headliners, including US star Gayle, for the festival The Roofs.From 11-21 August 2022, it's "Back to the Roofs". With the European Championships 2022, top European sport will return to Olympiapark in Munich and thus under the legendary tent roof construction that was created for the 1972 Olympic Games. The slogan of the multi-sport event originates from this combination. A first impression symbolic of the slogan was shown by the projection in which Malaika Mihambo (athletics) and Marcel Nguyen (gymnastics), among others, jumped and tumbled spectacularly above the tent roof of Olympiastadion.

On the occasion of the milestone "100 DAYS TO GO", the Managing Director of Olympiapark München GmbH Marion Schöne seemed optimistic: "With the discontinuation of many Corona regulations, we are finally looking forward to lots of events in Olympiapark again. We especially hope that the interest in the European Championships will now get another significant boost in the last 100 days. Of course, it is not easy to prepare such a big event during the pandemic, so we are all the more relieved now that the nine European Championships can take place without any restrictions for the spectators," said Schöne. The Olympiapark München GmbH expects around one million visitors in the sports facilities, on the sidelines and at the festival The Roofs. Tickets are available at <a href="https://www.munich2022.com/en/tickets" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">munich2022.com/tickets</a> - the price for a ticket starts at ten euros.Munich 2022 stands for inclusion and offers extensive inclusive servicesIn addition to its pioneering role in the re-use of existing (Olympic) sports venues, the organiser of the European Championships 2022 is also setting new standards in the field of inclusion. For the first time, Para competitions will be integrated into the new multi-sport event, which combines existing European championships. At the second edition of the European Championships after 2018, nine European championships will take place under one roof from 11-21 August 2022 – athletics, beach volleyball, canoe sprint, sport climbing, cycling, gymnastics, rowing, table tennis and triathlon. The 16 Paralympic competitions in canoe sprint and rowing are an integral part of the multi-sport event and are included in the official medal table. The three funding bodies, the Federal Republic of Germany, the Free State of Bavaria and the City of Munich, also welcome the inclusion.Furthermore, the organiser also offers numerous inclusive services for spectators to make the event as barrier-free and inclusive as possible.

In search of new ideas to increase accessibility, the "Under one Roof" working group was set up and regularly exchanged ideas during the conception phase. The working group consists of representatives of the German Disabled Sports Association, the Bavarian Disabled and Rehabilitation Sports Association, the German Wheelchair Sports Association, Special Olympics Bavaria, the Munich Disabled Advisory Council and the Department of Education and Sports of the City of Munich. The result is, among other things, a barrier-free website and a comprehensive package of on-site services. Together with the service provider AUDIO2, three free inclusive services for visitors with hearing and visual impairments will be offered for all medal events - audio description, mobile inductive hearing systems and sign language interpretation. The inclusive services can be booked via an online booking form at <a href="https://www.munich2022.com/en" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">munich2022.com</a>. The organising committee also guarantees wheelchair-accessible access to each venue as well as wheelchair-accessible seating. Inclusion and special inclusion volunteers will be on hand to ensure that everything runs smoothly, and the volunteers are sensitised.The Roofs - the festival of special momentsThe biggest multi-sport event in 50 years is much more than a mere sports competition with nine European championships. The festival The Roofs completes the event over the entire eleven days from dawn to dusk and combines sport with art and culture in a way that the Bavarian capital has last experienced at the 1972 Olympic Games. Nine self-sufficient event islands, called Roofs, will be distributed throughout Olympiapark. One Roof each at Königsplatz and at the Olympic regatta site and further side events at Odeonsplatz and at the cycling start locations Fürstenfeldbruck, Landsberg am Lech and Murnau a. Staffelsee complete the festival of diversity and surprise. The Roofs programme, which is completely free of charge, conveys more small-town character than gigantism, focuses on the special and unexpected and ensures a special festival flair as a whole. Detailed information on the individual Roofs is available at <a href="https://www.munich2022.com/en/festival" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">munich2022.com/en/festival</a>. Three of the eleven roofs, the Central Roof, the Creative Roof and the Heimat Roof, are equipped with large stages on which national and international top acts provide top-notch festival feeling.

Gayle, LUNA and ELIF - chart toppers at The RoofsAs the first of numerous headliners, the organising committee presents ELIF, Gayle and LUNA, who will provide classic concert entertainment. US singer Gayle was number one on the charts from the USA all the way to Malaysia with her world hit abcdefu. In Germany, the 17-year-old Texan spent a total of eight weeks at the top of the charts. LUNA is also a new pop star. The Bavarian started her career in 2020 with the 50-second piano version of her song Verlierer (Loser). In 2021, LUNA seamlessly followed up her success with her follow-up single Blau (Blue) and was named "Breakthrough Artist of the Year" by several renowned associations and platforms such as Amazon, the Association for the Promotion of Pop Culture, 1 Live and the youth radio stations of the public broadcasters. Everyone is talking about ELIF: In 2020, after three years of radio silence, she released a top ten album right off the bat with "Nacht" (Night), followed a year later by the collaborative single "Highway" with Katja Krasavice, as well as a nomination for the 2021 Pop Culture Award. The concerts are all open to the public and free of charge. The other top acts will be announced in the next three months.Juliane Seifert, Bavaria’s State Secretary in the Federal Ministry of the Interior and Home Affairs: "The countdown is on: 100 days to go until the start of the European Championships. 50 years after the Olympic Games, we are celebrating a festival of sport here in Munich and in Germany that brings so many sports and people together. With nine European Championships under one roof, the European Championships are the fixed star of top-level European sport. They combine first-class competitions with versatile opportunities to participate. I am particularly looking forward to the encounters and community that we have had to do without for so long."Joachim Herrmann, Bavaria's State Minister of the Interior, Sports and Integration: "The European Championships will be an excellent example of how existing sports infrastructures can be used sustainably even 50 years after the 1972 Olympics. I am sure that during the competitions we will be able to feel more than just a hint of the Olympic spirit from back then. And the 1972 Games brought great added value to the city and the region. To this day, not only the sports world but also the entire population benefits from this boost to the development of the metropolitan region. The sports facilities shape the positive image of the state capital as well as that of the Free State - both nationally and internationally. "Munich's Lord Mayor Dieter Reiter: "The countdown is on, and I am very excited for it to finally start in 100 days! 50 years ago, the Olympic Games took place in Munich and our city is still benefiting from them today. The European Championships are a worthy framework for this anniversary year and offer a unique opportunity for Munich to show itself from its best side as a hospitable and sports-loving city and to present the spectators with thrilling competitions. I am looking forward to it!"Marion Schöne, Managing Director of Olympiapark München GmbH: "For us, the European Championships are the highlight of Olympiapark’s anniversary year. We can now look forward to the events of the summer with confidence and we clearly notice that people want to experience something again. The joy among the fans is rising, they finally want to be present live at such a top-class sporting event again and enjoy the unique flair in Olympiapark. Especially at the European Championships, in addition to the many free opportunities to experience sporting events, there are also many very inexpensive tickets so that the whole family can cheer on the athletes in the halls or stadiums!"Marc Lembeck, Para rowing: "From the point of view of a Para athlete, I am very happy that the European Championships 2022 in Munich will be a joint event for Olympic and Paralympic athletes. It shows that the passion for sport is the common ground that matters, not the physical conditions that one brings along. Through the extensive range of inclusive services, people with and without disabilities can experience the 2022 European Championships together."Malaika Mihambo, athletics: "The home European Championships have a very special meaning for me because the support at home is extraordinary and the atmosphere is even more motivating than elsewhere. The flair of the multi-sport event makes the European Championships even bigger and more spectacular. There is something for everyone - from fan to athlete and it gives everyone the opportunity to get to know and love new sports as well."Marcel Nguyen, gymnastics: "Immediately after my injury, I set myself the goal of competing in the 2022 European Championships at home in Munich. The knee is still not ideal, but my anticipation is huge and my motivation unbroken, despite the long road back. The full recovery will hopefully be a precision landing to be there in front of the home crowd and possibly celebrate my farewell from the international stage."

Zu 100 DAYS TO GO leuchtet über dem Zeltdach des Olympiastadions groß das Logo der European Championships Munich 2022 im Nachthimmel.

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100 days remain until the start of the biggest multi-sport event in 50 years. On this occasion, the organising committee also presents the first headliners, including US star Gayle, for the festival The Roofs.

On Sunday 24 April, the Move For Solidarity Day took place in Olympiapark. The sports festival was held for children and young people both from Ukraine and from other areas who have arrived in Munich specifically.

We moved for solidarity

Published on 25 April 2022This month, the focus of the European Championships Munich 2022 initiative Count &amp; Last&nbsp;is to make a valuable contribution to the social sustainability of Munich 2022. Therefore, on Sunday 24 April, the Move For Solidarity Day took place in Olympiapark. The sports festival was held for children and young people both from Ukraine and from other areas who have arrived in Munich specifically. But of course, all Munich children, youth and interested people were welcomed with open arms. &nbsp;The action day was initiated in cooperation with the Munich Sports Youth, the BLSV and the City of Munich. 20 clubs, associations and other organisations offered a sports programme to participate in and informed the visitors about their integrative sports offers.

Fitness and Dance Munich kicked things off with a Zumba class. However, there was plenty of choice in activities:<ul><li>Baseball – Baseballclub München Caribes e.V.&nbsp;</li><li>Cheerleading - Dynamic Cheer Athletics ESV München&nbsp;</li><li>Crossminton - SpeedLights München e.V.&nbsp;</li><li>Fußball - SpVgg Höhenkirchen e.V.&nbsp;</li><li>Handball – FC Bayern München e.V.&nbsp;</li><li>Inlineskating – Skatescout Bernhard Orthuber&nbsp;</li><li>Jonglieren &amp; Einradfahren - USC München, Abteilung Einradfahren &amp; JiM e.V.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>Judo - Samurai München e.V.&nbsp;</li><li>Jumping Fitness - Fitness and Dance Munich&nbsp;</li><li>Klettern - "Ich will da rauf!" e.V. (Inklusives Klettern)&nbsp;</li><li>Leichtathletik – BLV / LG Stadtwerke München&nbsp;</li><li>Radsport – Bayerischer Radsportverband und Verkehrswacht&nbsp;</li><li>Roundnet - Munich Roundnet Community e.V.&nbsp;</li><li>Rugby - Rugby Club Unterföhring e.V.&nbsp;</li><li>Skateboarding – Skateschule München&nbsp;</li><li>Spiel &amp; Spaß für Kids - Schwimmclub Wasserfreunde München von 1912 e. V.&nbsp;</li><li>Spiele für Kinder - Students for Children&nbsp;</li><li>Tanzen - TSG München e.V.&nbsp;</li><li>Tennis – TC Weiß-Blau Fideliopark e.V.&nbsp;</li><li>Voltigieren - Voltigierverein Starnberg e.V.&nbsp;</li></ul>

The clubs received linguistic support from English- and Russian-speaking volunteers who were on duty as interpreters. Not only the volunteers were highly motivated and committed, but also all the active participants. Every person who filled their stamp card with six sports received a certificate. And to mark Orthodox Easter, there were sweets to match as well.

Benefit concert 

In addition to the sporting programme, a benefit concert took place. Performers were Affentheater, Dichter, Color Comic, JB's First. The musicians were very happy to be on an open-air stage again and to play on such an important occasion. The weather also cooperated and only at the end there was a rain dance to the music of JB's First.

Helping hands

Many Ukrainian children from shelters and private households participated. They were all allowed to choose a cuddly toy and a piece of sports equipment. Numerous donations in kind were collected for more such gifts, and the donation-based muffin bar was especially popular in the afternoon. Many thanks again to all donors and cake bakers. &nbsp;Attention was also drawn to our fundraising campaign in cooperation with Help Ukraine Munich. We will continue to collect your sporting donations and cuddly toys (new or freshly washed) during the eighth Count &amp; Last project until the end of April. Drop them off at our office or send your donations to LOC European Championships Munich 2022 (Spiridon-Louis-Ring 22, 80809 München). You can find more information <a href="https://www.munich2022.com/en/solidarity" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>.&nbsp;

The Move For Solidarity Day was an action-packed afternoon. Children learned about new sports in Olympiapark.

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On Sunday 24 April, the Move For Solidarity Day took place in Olympiapark. The sports festival was held for children and young people both from Ukraine and from other areas who have arrived in Munich specifically.

Fintan McCarthy talks to Munich 2022 about his rowing carreer and the battle of the two sets of rowing Skibbereen brothers.

Fintan McCarthy on the battle of the rowing Skibbereen Brothers

Published on 22 April 2022By Catiana Rettenberger“I wouldn’t even call it a town, let alone a city,” says rower Fintan McCarthy laughingly when describing his hometown Skibbereen in Count Cork (population 2,700). Nevertheless the 25-year-old Irish rowing star came to worldwide fame when he crowned himself World Champion in 2019 and Olympic Champion in 2021 in the lightweight men’s double sculls alongside Paul O’Donovan. We talked to the elite athlete in an exclusive interview.&nbsp;His two siblings say that McCarthy was horribly unathletic as a child. No matter if football, Gaelic football or any other sport, he seemed to just not be the sporty type. “I was so bad at everything else.” Unlike his twin brother Jake, who McCarthy says was great at all sports, but we will talk about him a bit later.&nbsp;&nbsp;In the end McCarthy did find a sport that suited him at the age of 15. “I kind of just stumbled across it as something I actually enjoyed and was kind of good at. It kind of just went from there really.” He doesn’t see his late start as a disadvantage, however. “It probably, kind of, fast tracked me, because I was at that age, where I had to learn pretty quickly.” He skipped the years of only practicing for the fun of it and went straight to proper training. In less than two years he caught up to his peers and would soon surpass them.

The art of rowing

To him the reward for training is linear: “The more work you do, the better you get.” It’s fascinating to him, that there’s always room for improvement, always a way to get better, as perfection is unattainable. For example, it’s quite hard to steer in a perfectly straight line. Therefore, rowers equalise the boat by going harder with one oar than the other. In larger boats one rower has a rudder attached to their foot, which they can control by twitching it.&nbsp;At the face of it the sport is very straightforward. In rowing “you just have to get to the finish line before the other boats, it’s just like a normal race. But the only thing is you’re racing backwards so you can’t see where you’re going. But the good thing about it is that you can see your opposition.” Being able to see how far ahead you are is a great motivator for the Irishman.&nbsp;

Skibbereen Rowing Club

Being able to represent his community, “friends and family really, because everyone is so close knit,” is an added bonus and extra source of motivation. “It could elevate your performance in some aspects.”&nbsp;Ever since starting rowing in late 2012 McCarthy has been part of the Skibbereen Rowing Club, where he had many seniors to look up to from the start. Especially the O’Donovan brothers Paul and Gary, who went on to win silver at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. The pair was devastatingly dominant.&nbsp;&nbsp;But Paul isn’t the only Skibbereen rower with a talented brother. Fintan’s twin Jake picked up the sport a year after him and turned out to be good at this sport as well. After some success in the quadruple sculls on the Irish under 23 team McCarthy too started rowing with his brother. It strengthened their brotherly bond. “I love training with him [Jake]. He’s such an animal, he’s a really good person to train with. […] We have really good timing when we row together.” And it shows, in 2019 the siblings placed fifth at the European Championships together. All the signs pointed to the fact that Skibbereen’s history might be repeated, with two brothers edging out the rest of the country.&nbsp;

Seeing double

The twins knew they had a lot of work to do before they could snatch either seat in the Irish lightweight double sculls boat as long as the O’Donovans were keen on them themselves. “He [Paul O’Donovan] was always someone we looked up to and trying to kind of emulate, I guess.”&nbsp;Now McCarthy is obviously rowing with Paul, even though he doesn’t rule out rowing with his twin again. McCarthy secured his position by outperforming Gary at the Irish trials in 2019 and hasn’t given up his seat since. “It was a bit daunting at first, but I was just learning so much and getting so much faster, that it was mostly just an exciting time.” The lessons learned from Paul included “how to train and how to put yourself in a hole.”&nbsp;With this mentality they went on to win their first international gold medals together. Those being McCarthy’s first big titles and elevating him to rowing royalty in Europe. Partly to showcase that he in fact wasn’t being dragged around by his partner but was very much so pulling his own weight in the boat, the 25-year-old competed in men's lightweight single sculls at the European championships in 2020. Et voilà, a bronze medal all on his own.&nbsp;

Trust in the process

McCarthy likes structure and executing fixed plans. And he trains hard for his success:&nbsp;<ul><li>1-2 rowing sessions per day: low intensity long sessions for aerobic base/ interval sessions for practice at race pace&nbsp;</li><li>3x strength per week&nbsp;</li></ul>“And then sometimes we cross-train with the aerobic sessions. We might do a bike instead of a row, and some people run as well, but I’m not very good at running.”&nbsp;Even McCarthy isn’t always this structured. “When it comes to racing, I’m definitely that way. But then in everyday life I would like to be that way all the time, but it can kind of gets away from me sometimes.”&nbsp;But training is different, especially since he started his physiology studies. Besides learning about supplements, he has gained something else: “More trust in our training programme, like knowing exactly what physiological adaptation I’m getting out of it. So, I really buy into what I’m doing.”&nbsp;

Rowing ≠ Kayaking

No matter the event there is often confusion about the sport. “It’s predominantly a leg movement, we just kind of finish it [the movement] with our arms. But everyone is always like “oh, you’re a rower, you must have pretty strong arms.’ That’s a common one. And then you get the obvious ‘Oh, do you kayak?’ They kind of put you in that general water sport bracket.”&nbsp;The kayakers don’t fare any better, however. As the Spanish canoeists <a href="https://www.munich2022.com/en/canoe-sprint-spain-k4-european-championships" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Marcus Cooper Walz and Carlos Arévalo López told us in an exclusive interview they in turn are asked if they are rowers.&nbsp;</a>

At European Championships Munich 2022 both canoe sprint and rowing will take place at the Munich Olympic Regatta Centre, offering a chance to watch both sports closely. McCarthy is looking forward to the event: “We love going to the Europeans every year.” But they don’t just want to tag along. “We won the European Champs last year, so we’ll have to try and defend that title.”&nbsp;With the O’Donovans and Jake McCarthy concentrated on their respective studies the question who will compete in the men’s lightweight double sculls isn’t set in stone yet. This leaves a chance for Fintan to go single like at the European Championships in 2020. He has high standards though. “I only got a bronze medal there, so it would be nice to maybe place quite a few places higher.” Basically, meaning gold.&nbsp;The continental strength in rowing varies, “but for us in the lightweight double Europe is really strong.” The Olympic final in Tokyo was almost exclusively filled with European athletes. McCarthy puts this in perspective: “We usually face kind of everyone, that we have our eye on, at the Europeans.”&nbsp;Munich 2022 won’t be the Irishman’s first trip to the Bavarian capital. At around 12 years old he visited Munich on a school trip, but can’t remember much, other than his class being given caps, so they won’t get lost. This time around he hopes to see and remember a bit more. Including the other eight European championships set to take place in August. “Athletics and gymnastics would be cool, cause there’s a few Irish competitors, and it would be cool to watch them as well.”&nbsp;“It’s a bit like the Olympics, everyone is going to be there at the same time.”&nbsp;

Fintan McCarthy and Paul O'Donovan on their way to Olympic Gold at the Tokyo Olympics.

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Fintan McCarthy talks to Munich 2022 about his rowing carreer and the battle of the two sets of rowing Skibbereen brothers.

The event is aimed at refugee children and young people, offering an integrative sports programme.

Move for Solidarity Day in Olympiapark on 24 April

Published on 20 April 2022With the European Championships Munich 2022, the Bavarian capital will welcome the biggest sporting event since the 1972 Olympic Games in August - more than a worthy event in the golden jubilee year of the Olympiapark. Munich 2022 stands for incomparable moments and aims to inspire, set new standards, and leave a lasting legacy for all participants, the City of Munich and future sporting events.

Move for Solidarity

In view of the current events, we as the Local Organising Committee of the European Championships see it as our responsibility to use the power of sport to show solidarity TOGETHER. Therefore, we are organising the <a href="https://www.munich2022.com/en/solidarity" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">"Move for Solidarity Day"</a> in Munich's Olympiapark on 24 April 2022 in cooperation with the Munich Sports Youth, the BLSV and the City of Munich. This sports festival is aimed specifically at children and young people both from Ukraine and from other areas who have arrived in Munich. But of course, we also welcome ALL Munich children, youth and interested people. On site, about 25 clubs, associations and other organisations will offer a sports programme to participate in and inform about their integrative sports offers. In addition, there will be a benefit concert at which various musicians will perform.

Peace

Weitere Infos

There will be a wide range of sporting activities on offer: on the peninsula in Olympiapark, classic ball sports such as football, basketball, and beach volleyball, as well as cycling and tennis can be tried out. On the other hand, children and young people can try out trend sports such as roundnet, inline skating and crossminton, as well as juggling and unicycling. Judo, skateboarding, vaulting, and dancing as well as other sports can also be tried out on this day. The bands Color Comic, JM'First, Dichter, Affenbande and Группа Кощей - a pop-rock-reggae group from Kharkiv - will provide the musical background.&nbsp;To sweeten the day, there will be a muffin bar on a donation basis or free for refugees. We welcome everyone who can support with muffins or other pastries. We are also collecting donations of goods and money together with “Help Ukraine”. We will gladly accept donations of sports equipment and plush toys during the action day on 24 April. Donations of goods can also be handed in or sent to us at any time before the event (LOC European Championships Munich 2022, Spiridon-Louis-Ring 22, 80809 Munich). Please donate plush toys only new or washed.&nbsp;If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Move for Solidarity Team of the European Championships Munich 2022 at <a href="mailto:countandlast@munich2022.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">countandlast@munich2022.com</a>. &nbsp;Let's use the power of sport together! We look forward to seeing you!&nbsp;

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The event is aimed at refugee children and young people, offering an integrative sports programme.

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Silver medalist Jana Bieger of the United States, gold medalist Vanessa Ferrari of Italy and bronze medalist Sandra Izbasa of Romania pose on the podium at the medal ceremony for the Women's All-Around during day seven of the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships 2006.

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Italian gymnast Vanessa Ferrari competes in a qualifying round of the balance beam event at the European Women's Artistic Gymnastics Championships in 2015.

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Beat the Class 2 V Mai C Hering

Speerwerfer Thomas Röhler bejubelt seinen Sieg mit einem Sprung in den Wassergraben bei den European Championships 2018

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Speerwerfer Thomas Röhler aus Deutschland in Aktion. European Championships Leichtathletik

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Germany's Thomas Rohler (C gold) , Germany's Andreas Hofmann (L silver) and Estonia's Magnus Kirt (bronze) celebrate on the podium during the medal ceremony of the men's javelin throw at the European Athletics Championships in Berlin on August 10, 2018. 

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Logo des The Roofs-Festivals der European Championships Munich 2022

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Fitness and Dance Munich started the Move For Solidarity Day with an open Zumba class.

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The muffin bar at the Move For Solidarity Day helped collect donations for Ukraine.

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Fintan McCarthy is smiling with the Irish flag around his neck after realising he has won the gold medal alongside Paul O'Donovan in the men's lightweight double sculls at the world championships in 2019.