The baseball players of the Aachen Greyhounds have already tested the famous turf in the Main Stadium. In the course of the World Equestrian Festival, CHIO Aachen (June 27th - July 6th, 2008), the best jumping riders will compete for the renowned awards in the stadium. But on the occasion of the CHIO's official Opening Ceremony on Tuesday, July 1st, also boxers, basketball players and aquatic athletes will present their sport on the stadium's turf. More than 200 athletes from 29 sport associations from the region of Aachen will take part in the Opening Ceremony.
The local associations provide a preview to the Olympic Games in Beijing and Hong Kong. Starting on August 8th, also the equestrian athletes will compete for the Olympic medals there. Previous to that, the horses will have a stopover in Aachen's stables for quarantine. A good enough reason to include the Olympic Summer Games into the CHIO's Opening Ceremony. "The spectators can look forward to a diversified and emotional gala", says Show Director Frank Kemperman. "28 Olympic disciplines and a lot of horses - what more could you ask for?"
The Aachen Greyhounds for their part are thrilled. "A great turf, we would very much like to play here more often", says Robert M. Beckmann upon entering the stadium -which provides seating for 40,000 spectators- together with his two teammates Hannes Kugler (assistant trainer for youths) and Rudi Pecenka (assistant trainer men). For Pecenka, a native of Romania, the performance is something very special: "My mother has told me that she already watched the CHIO on TV at home 30 years ago." Normally the "Greys" play in the fourth league in Aachen-Brand - in front of 30 spectators. "Therefore we are looking forward to advertise our sport in front of tens of thousands spectators. Not to mention that the Opening Ceremony will be broadcast live on WDR", says Kugler.
The association hopes to attract the interested public. "Everyone from eight years up can join us", says Pecenka and hits the ball across the field with full power. A top player can hit the ball with a speed of 160 kilometres per hour, even in the fourth league the ball reaches a speed of up to 80 kilometres per hour.
"The Opening Ceremony will be especially peppy", assures Kemperman. Tickets are available at the hotline +49-241-917-1111 or on the internet under www.chioaachen.de. Also the presentation of this year's partner country Russia will excite the audience: The Cavalry Honorary Escort of the Presidential Regiment, the Russian troikas and a stunt group in historical costumes promise a spectacular show programme that will arouse thrill among the spectators. Above that, several local groups and associations will contribute music and dance presentations to the Opening Ceremony.
