Heinz Steyer Stadium in Dresden officially opened

Around 30 sports stars associated with Dresden are expected to attend the opening of the renovated Heinz Steyer Stadium on August 30. The city authorities have announced the arrival of record-breaking sprinter Marlies Göhr, long jump legend Heike Drechsler and steeplechaser Hagen Melzer. A big show for sport is to spread the Olympic feeling before the "Golden Oval" athletics meeting begins - also with sprinter Rebekka Haase and steeplechaser Karl Bebendorf.

The stadium, which has been rebuilt, expanded and modernized over two years, is intended to continue the tradition of the "Golden Oval" in the 1980s and also present athletes from abroad as part of the World Athletics Continental Tour. It has 10,400 seats, 5,400 of which are covered. The capacity can be expanded to up to 15,000 spectators using mobile grandstands. The Dresden Monarchs also play their first division American football matches in the stadium.

A venue for international competitions and world records

The arena, which opened in 1919 and was later named after a footballer, made sporting history. The German Football Association (DFB) played several international matches there before the Second World War. During the GDR era, it was named after a footballer and communist who was executed in 1944. National championships and international competitions were held there, and over a dozen world records were set in athletics. On 1 July 1977, sprinter Göhr ran the 100 meters in 10.88 seconds and on 3 July 1986, long jumper Drechsler managed 7.45 meters.