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31 October 2023 – Bochum

Focus on trend sports

How is the world of sport changing? What influence do modern trend sports have on people's lifestyle? These were some of the questions addressed at the Sport Talk in the Dampfgebläsehaus of the Jahrhunderthalle in Bochum. Niklas Börger, CEO of the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU Games gGmbH, was one of the guests.

"We are looking forward to Bochum," said Börger. For the FISU World University Games 2025, Bochum's Lohrheidestadion, which will then be renovated, will be the venue for the athletics competitions. The Jahrhunderthalle will also play a special role in the multi-sport event, as it will host an academic congress with more than 1,000 participants. "Around this congress, new sports will be presented in demonstration competitions," announced Börger.

©Lutz Leitmann/Stadt Bochum

Together with Torsten Burmester (Chairman of the German Olympic Sports Confederation), Michael Mronz (CEO of the Rhine-Ruhr City as a source of ideas for the Olympic and Paralympic Games in the Rhine-Ruhr region and member of the IOC), Melanie Meyer (Head of FUNKE Sport), Andy Zeiss (Sports & Event Marketing Manager & Consulting) and the Mayor of Bochum, Thomas Eiskirch, Börger discussed the power of these new trend sports to inspire children and young people to engage in sport. The discussion showed that trendy sports are not only very popular with young people, but are also changing the entire sports landscape. "We are open, we want to try new things and we want to give the new sports a place here. The new sports have an urban feel to them," said Eiskirch.

©Lutz Leitmann/Stadt Bochum

3x3 Basketball: Debut at the FISU World University Games

The hype surrounding new, cool and urban sports is also reflected in the fact that the Tokyo 2021 Olympic Games featured 3x3 basketball, skateboarding and also BMX Park for the first time. Breakdancing will become an Olympic sport in Paris in 2024. 3x3 basketball and 3x3 wheelchair basketball will also take place at the FISU World University Games Summer in Rhine-Ruhr in 2025 and have the potential to excite the public.

This enthusiasm was also evident at the Sport Talk in the Jahrhunderthalle. To give the audience an exciting insight into the world of trend sports, various athletes presented their sports in the adjacent Turbine Hall. Lara Lessmann (BMX), Vincent Braukämper (calisthenics), Sonja Greinacher (3x3 basketball) and Letizia Lardara (urban dance) provided a sporting spectacle and talked about their passion.

©Heiko Broska