Europäische Meile Berlin 2018

For the project of the European Mile on the Breitscheidplatz next to the Memorial Church in Berlin, the idea was born to develop a health and recreational sports programme and to present it to a large European audience in a vivid and interesting way using various modern means of communication, in order to give a lasting incentive for a sporty and active lifestyle. For the first time in athletics, a major sporting event, the European Athletics Championships, was combined with a health sports project in the heart of Berlin. On each of the 7 days of the European Mile, visitors were introduced to one of the 7 main themes "sitting-stress-strength-nutrition-children's athletics-family and running" presented in a multifaceted way. These DLV theme days were accompanied by numerous innovative interactive campaigns and scientific presentations under the motto "Mach mit bleib fit": Javelin throw simulator, tapping module, SMS module, standing long jump mat, balancing boards, obstacle courses, throwing baskets, jumping hoops, jump relays, strength and body fat measurements, stress tests and stress management, sitting exercises, running analyses, massages, outdoor-Athletics, trying to use a racing wheelchair, nutrition and diabetes tests. It has always been possible to receive competent advice from experts on the spot and to get health-relevant specialist knowledge conveyed in an illustrative way. Information material in several languages and sports give-aways (skipping ropes, therabands, anti-stress balls, fruit bars, nut mixtures) were available. Current and former top athletes also offered their services as consultants and motivators. The theme days were accompanied by a daily cooking show by Sarah Wiener & Team, who presented a healthy meal from a European country and distributed numerous tasting bowls plus a recipe for cooking at home (also available via app). They showed that the preparation of a healthy meal is quick and easy.Many modern media as well as bloggers and supporters from different countries were involved in the spreading of these ideas. The role model function of some top athletes also helped to spread the word about the topics, as did a miles app specially programmed for the event, which motivated users to run around the blue track on the European Mile in order to participate successfully in the lottery. Around 4,000 users were on the move with the miles app of the German Athletics Federation. The event was used to test and develop a new course program, Outdoor Athletics, labeled "Sport pro Gesundheit" in cooperation with health insurance companies. With a wide range of outdoor exercises, nature objects were used and the participants were instructed how to integrate the exercises into their everyday lives. Brochures with corresponding pictures supported the presentation and could be taken home. FAMILY Day was a new idea in the range of activities, as it dealt with the topic of family and health and informed on how to combine valuable family time with a common sports activity. The presentation and combination of theory and practice in sports and nutrition was presented in a very diverse way. All hands-on activities were always free of charge and barriers. The theme days of the European Mile had the goal of bringing health-oriented recreational sport into the world and demonstrating the diversity of athletics. The opportunity was seized to present innovative approaches to athletics and to recommend a healthier lifestyle and sport to those interested. The event was intended to set an example for other major events and serve as a best practice model. In addition, social integration, equal rights, inclusion, accessibility and integrity will be used to link European and sports policy objectives. On the whole, the feedback on site was extremely positive. The interactive events attracted thousands of visitors, many enthusiastic children and their parents asked for information about athletics & local clubs.