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Grevenbroich → Venedig
Herbert takes the car from Grevenbroich to Dusseldorf, takes a plane and flies to Venice. On the seat next to him sits Fred, his training buddy, team mate and competitor. Their destination: the European Masters Athletics Championship in Italy.


On the balcony of the Brioni Mare hotel, where the athletes are staying

Confirmation Receipts 100M M85


„On your marks!“

Three point start
The line-up:
Number 2223:
Edi, 87 years old
Number 2012:
Herbert, 89 years old
Number 1744:
Armin, 85 years old
Number 1882:
Fred, 85 years old

standing start

Herbert

Fred
Herbert says
that the best bit about a race is the moment when you cross the finishing line

7 x Gold, 2 x Silver, 2 x Bronze

43

In the restaurant in the evening, pizzas and red wine are on Herbert. “A great weight drops from your mind after the first race”, he says. Fred’s spirits have lifted again, and he is proud of his friend. “That’s down to hard work, Herbert”, he says. “And the courage to still give it your all”. Fred thinks that Herbert will win the 200 metre race. “Don’t let your coach down, Fred!”, Herbert admonishes. Herbert is worried about his friend who remained so far behind his potential. For the 200 metre race, he muses, if they are both level, he could let Fred cross the finishing line first.


Stadio Armando Picchi, Jesolo

Fred hugging Herbert after their first race in Italy

Herbert’s thoughts are already in Portugal, where the next championship will take place in March. But tomorrow, he and Fred will go sightseeing in Venice.

Arrivederci!
Die Zeit, № 40 / 2019
Author: Nicola Meier
Hansel-Mieth-Award 2020