The sky above the athletics stadium and the Ahorn-Sportpark Hall is tinged with soft shades of pink, purple and blue during a sunset. The sun is setting behind the stands. The stadium is on the left-hand side of the picture. Athletes are training there. On the right-hand side is the entrance area of the Ahorn-Sportpark Hall, where people are gathered.

Exercising at sunset

Ahorn-Sportpark

Ahorn-Sportpark pays tribute to Paderborn sporting legend

A group of six people are standing at Ahorn-Sportpark next to a street sign bearing the inscription ‘Kurt-Bendlin-Allee’. Together, they are unveiling the new street name. Pictured (from left): Martin Nixdorf, Mayor Michael Dreier, Martina Bendlin, Kolja Bendlin, Dirk Happe and Ralf Pahlsmeier.

Jointly inaugurating Kurt-Bendlin-Allee at Ahorn-Sportpark: (from left) Martin Nixdorf, Mayor Michael Dreier, Martina Bendlin, Kolja Bendlin, Dirk Happe, Head of the School Administration and Sports Department, and Ralf Pahlsmeier, Managing Director of Ahorn Sports Park.

Elli Bezensek

From now on, Kurt-Bendlin-Allee on the grounds of Ahorn-Sportpark commemorates Paderborn’s top athlete Kurt Bendlin, who passed away last year at the age of 81. Together with Martina Bendlin, the late athlete’s wife, and his son Kolja Bendlin, as well as Martin Nixdorf and Ralf Pahlsmeier from the Ahorn-Sportpark and Dirk Happe from the School Administration and Sports Office, Mayor Michael Dreier has now officially opened the avenue.

“Kurt Bendlin not only made a great impression on our city as an athlete, but he also dedicated himself with great passion to many social projects; I am therefore particularly pleased that, with Kurt-Bendlin-Allee, we have found a way to commemorate him here at his former place of work,” said Mayor Michael Dreier at the inauguration of the avenue in the Ahorn-Sportpark.

Back in the summer of this year, the proposal by Ahorn-Sportpark gGmbH to designate a section of the fitness trail on the site as “Kurt-Bendlin-Allee” had already been approved by the relevant committees. This is the paved path that runs from the main entrance on the east side of the hall, past the playground, to the side entrance – the turnstile leading to the Diebold Nixdorf site – and on to the calisthenics area. A street sign has been erected at both ends, featuring not only the name but also a brief description of Kurt Bendlin’s achievements.

“My husband led the way himself during the earthworks on the running track back then. He levelled the ‘Patt’ with a chainsaw; even on Sundays, the machines didn’t stop. I am delighted that, with Kurt-Bendlin-Allee, a way has been found to commemorate him and his work right here on site, and I would like to express my heartfelt thanks, also on behalf of our children, to everyone involved,” said Martina Bendlin happily.

“As a former world record holder and bronze medallist in the decathlon at the Olympic Games, Kurt Bendlin was not only an outstanding role model in sport, but also rendered outstanding services to the development of Paderborn as a sporting hub. My father brought Kurt Bendlin to Paderborn in 1979 to promote workplace and educational sport in the long term,” explained Martin Nixdorf. “I am delighted that there is now a place here at Ahorn-Sportpark where we can all remember Kurt Bendlin and his magnificent achievements for sport, but also for Paderborn,” Nixdorf continued.

A group of six people are standing in Ahorn-Sportpark next to a street sign bearing the inscription “Kurt-Bendlin-Allee” and looking at the sign. Together they are inaugurating the new street name. Pictured (from left): Martin Nixdorf, Mayor Michael Dreier, Martina Bendlin, Kolja Bendlin, Dirk Happe and Ralf Pahlsmeier.

Elli Bezensek