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The marathon medals and certificates at the real,-
BERLIN-MARATHON
Whether or not Paul Tergat, Kenya’s marathon world record holder, wins
a medal on August 29th at the Olympic marathon in Athens, there will be plenty
of medals dedicated to him on September 26, 2004 in Berlin. 35,000 medals will
be waiting at the finish, showing his portrait and reminding us of his world
record of 2:04:55 from the previous year.
| Out of appreciation and respect for the great
performances of the marathon runners at the Olympic Games — and
for the world records that were achieved in Berlin — the SCC RUNNING
organisers traditionally dedicate the medals and certificates to the great
marathon champions from the Olympic history since 1896.
The medals of the real,- BERLIN-MARATHON, which every runner receives at the finish, reflect the history of the marathon at the Olympic Games. From 1974 to 1977, the Greek runners of the antiquities were depicted. Since 1978, the medals have been dedicated to the Olympic marathon champions. The Olympic champions also decorate the certificates which every participant receives. Some exceptions - Spiridon Louis, Waldemar Cierpinski - and the
world record holders from BERLIN-MARATHON In 1999, the medals depicted the head of Ronaldo da Costa (Brazil), one year later the effigy of Tegla Loroupe (Kenya). Both ran world records in Berlin. And in 2001, the Olympic champion from Sydney, Naoko Takahashi (Japan), also ran a world record—and simultaneously received her effigy on the medal at the finish—a pre-programmed world record. At the 31st real,- BERLIN-MARATHON in 2004, the portrait of the
champion and new world record holder, Paul Tergat (KEN) (2:04:55), will be
immortalised on the medal. Overview of the marathon medals; 1974 - 77: Greek runners of the antiquities Several of the Olympic champions on the marathon medals have also been honorary guests of the BERLIN MARATHON. At the first marathon through the city in 1981, Kitei Son (of Japan, who really as a Korean was called Sohn Kee Chung), who was Olympic champion in Berlin in 1936, attended the event. Other Olympic champions who honoured the BERLIN MARATHON with their presence were: 1986 the son of Juan Zabala (Argentinia/1932 in Los Angeles), 1988 Emil Zatopek (Czechoslovakia/ 1952 in Helsinki), 1989 Mamo Wolde (Ethiopia/1968 in Mexico City) and 1997 Waldemar Cierpinski, (1976 in Montreal and 1980 in Moscow for East Germany). In 1980 when he was first invited he was not permitted to go to West Berlin. Waldemar Cierpinski and Naoko Takahashi are so far the only Olympic champions to participate in the BERLIN-MARATHON themselves. At some point the organisers will run out of Olympic champions to honour as
the motives for the medals…even if the winner of the Intermediate Games
from 1906 in Athens is included (W. J. Shering from Canada)… |     |