Carolina Kluft poses with youngsters in Stockholm (© Lennart Julin)
Two days before the DN Galan Super Grand Prix meeting in Stockholm IAAF World Championships medallists Carolina Klüft, Christian Olsson and Patrik Kristiansson could be seen in full action in the Swedish capital at the “Lilla DN Galan” (“The Mini DN Galan”).
No, these stars were not competing themselves as “Lilla DN Galan” was not a meet but rather an initiative taken by the “DN Galan” to promote the sport of athletics to new generations of kids. To this end the “Stadionklubbarna” (the organisers of “DN Galan”) had decided to bring the sport to the people rather than to wait for the people to find the sport.
Therefore a mini stadium with a running track, timing equipment and jumping facilities had been put up for a day in the very heart of summer-Stockholm - in the “Kungsträdgården” (“The King’s Garden”) park adjacent to both the city commercial centre and the Royal Opera as well as facing the Royal Palace!
With experienced youth coaches from many of the Stockholm athletics clubs on site to give help and advice several hundred kids – locals as well as tourists – in the ages of approximately 6 to 12 years grabbed the opportunity to try sprinting, high jumping and long jumping maybe for the first time ever while proud parents were watching from the “stands”.
During the seven hours that “Lilla DN Galan” lasted there was a steady stream of new kids lining up to get their number bibs and to get out on the track. And during the day there also was a steady stream of Swedish top athletes stopping by to be interviewed and to sign “a few” autographs: triple jumper Christian Olsson, pole vaulter Patrik Kristiansson, heptathlete Carolina Klüft, 400m runner Jimisola Laursen and the hurdling twins Jenny and Susanna Kallur!
Carolina actually had to spend more than one hour until every kid (as well as some grown-ups …) had got the coveted signature and got themselves photographed with the idol! But still there was no hysteria, no pushing and showing. Everybody – including Carolina herself – just seemed to enjoy this sunny Sunday afternoon.
Lennart Julin for the IAAF
