Hamburg, known for its dedication to being a sports city, finds itself in a controversy as two major sporting events clash, causing disruption and dismay among local athletes. Cornelius Grajecki, Regatta Chairman of the AAC/NRB, expressed his discontent, stating, 'While we embrace Hamburg's sporting spirit, it's unacceptable for one event to hinder another.'"
What went wrong? The 2nd International DRV Junior Regatta 2024 in Hamburg, organized by the Allgemeiner Alster Club/Norddeutscher Ruderer Bund, was duly registered and approved by the city of Hamburg. However, the city additionally approved the cycling route for the Ironman event on the Sunday of the regatta weekend, effectively blocking access to and from the regatta site from early morning till late afternoon.
"We're in intense discussions with Ironman organizers, liaising with all relevant authorities, and appreciate the support of the State Sports Association. We've requested a slight adjustment to the cycling route to mitigate disruptions, but Ironman's route was published without alteration," Grajecki explained.
Despite knowing about the junior regatta, Hamburg approved the Ironman cycling route, revealing a bureaucratic misalignment. Both Ironman and AAC/NRB are now tasked with resolving the issue. Suggestions to reroute the Ironman through a nearby industrial area have been rejected by the Hamburg Police, citing accessibility concerns for the industrial zone.
In the days ahead, negotiations will continue to find a resolution. Next week, AAC/NRB will insist on a fair solution for both sports and will provide updates on lrv-hamburg.de before the regatta's commencement.