Anticipation rising as Berlin prepares to open European Athletics Championships 2018 with spectacular Opening Ceremony
Berlin set for Opening Ceremony for the European Athletics Championships 2018
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Berlin is abuzz with excitement ahead of today's Opening Ceremony for the European Athletics Championships 2018, which will see 1,572 athletes from 49 countries compete in 48 disciplines from 6-12 August.
The local organisers have selected the Breitscheidplatz in the City-West area of the German capital as the location for what promises to be a dazzling one-hour spectacle. The Breitscheidplatz is also part of the European Mile that will host the medal ceremonies during the Championships in addition to daily entertainment inside the Generali Arena.
The Opening Ceremony is scheduled to start at 9 p.m. local time and will be MC’d by renowned presenters Verena Wriedt and Matthias Killing. An expected sell-out crowd will be treated to musical performances, the presentation of the European Championship medals and trophy, and a unique and entertaining parade of nations that will showcase the openness and solidarity of a united Europe.
Speeches will be delivered by Governing Mayor of Berlin Michael Müller, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and European Athletics President Sven Arne Hansen.
A fireworks display will bring the show to a dramatic conclusion.
The ceremony will not only feature the best of Berlin, but also Glasgow, the co-host of the inaugural multi-sport European Championships that began in Glasgow on 2 August.
Glasgow is staging six sports: aquatics, cycling, golf, gymnastics, rowing and triathlon with Berlin staging the athletics.
The Berlin 2018 European Athletics Championships begins tomorrow, 6 August, with a session of qualifying events, including the first round of the men's and women's 100m and the men's shot put qualifying, which will be held at the European Mile.
