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Golden League

The Golden League in Berlin consists of six track and field competitions, which are among the top-category events in the world. A recent addition and major part of the Golden League is ISTAF Berlin, a combinative international athletic event established in 1921. ISTAF was organized by the three main sports associations in Berlin - Poseidon Swimming Club, BSC and SCC. In 1937 one European and two world records were achieved at this event before the eyes of 85 000 spectators. The event gained popularity due to the fact that the Olympics were held in Berlin that year as well, just prior to the ISTAF.

ISTAF was generally held on an annual basis in the next few years, despite the difficulties brought about by World War II (1939 - 1945). Over a period of five years (1943 - 1948) the events did not take place due to the overwhelming difficulties inspired by the war and its consequences. It has been held annually ever since, with only three interruptions - in 1950 on account of insufficient financing and in 1972 and 1973, when the Olympic team of Israel was attacked in Munich, Southern Germany. The event has enjoyed more than 60 editions toward the present, and officially bears the status of a key world competition. The Grand Prix was introduced in 1985 in Germany, and participants can earn qualifications for this event at the ISTAF. The organization enjoyed a productive partnership with UFA from 1990 to 1997, and the two establishments co-founded the Golden Four Series, which was held in Berlin four times in the 1990s. ISTAF was the final round of the Golden League for four years in a row (1998-2002).

The Golden League itself was founded by the International Association of Athletic Federations. The track-and-field races are traditionally held at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin, but this site was undergoing extensive renovation in 2002 and 2003, which is why it was moved to Friedrich-Ludwig-Jahnsportpark in these years. Last year the event returned to its "home" at the stadium, which now features a superb blue track.

The international sporting event is traditionally sponsored by a number of international corporations, among which Nike, Mercedes-Benz, Die Bahn and Omega. In 2004 the Golden League winners were Tonique Williams-Darling and Christian Olsson. The USD 1 million prize was divided between them. 61 500 track and field fans watched the races on the shimmering blue track of the Olympic Stadium in Berlin. Olsson achieved a total of six victories in the Golden League of last year. Among them was his record 17.45 leap, barely higher than that of his main competitor Walter Davis.

Berlin was the site of some major athletic competitions in 2005. The 64th series of ISTAF was held in Berlin in the beginning of September, and world champions in track and field athletics gathered to compete at this glorious event. Other important events that took place were the German Gymnastics Festival, the International beach volleyball competition, and the Berlin Marathon. The latter included 35 000 participants, who raced on a 42 000 km course in the German capital.