Sports in Potsdam boasts a rich history. As early as May 3, 1883, enthusiastic rowing students from Potsdam's Oberrealschule founded the rowing club RC "Vineta," marking the birth of rowing in Potsdam.
When people think of Potsdam, they primarily associate it with its palaces and gardens, its Prussian traditions and virtues, as well as its forest- and lake-rich surroundings. However, Potsdam also sees itself as a sports city. The outstanding achievements of many athletes from Potsdam, both nationally and internationally, along with active sports activities in over 169 sports clubs, are clear evidence of this.
Potsdam has long enjoyed an excellent reputation as a host for sports events, extending far beyond its borders. This is largely due to the diverse initiatives and activities of its 169 sports clubs, which boast over 37,000 members. Potsdam offers a wide array of sports opportunities. Events that have become cherished traditions, along with successful premieres, continually provide Potsdam's residents and many sports enthusiasts from near and far the chance to improve their health, actively participate in sports, or witness top-level performances.
Since 1960, no Olympic Games—except for the 1984 Los Angeles Games—have taken place without athletes from Potsdam.
The center of high-performance sports in Potsdam is the Luftschiffhafen Sports Park. This unique sports complex is now home to the Olympic Training Center and the "Friedrich-Ludwig Jahn" Sports School, where many successful athletes began their careers. Potsdam’s name remains associated with athletics through two current world records. Former student of the sports school, Uwe Hohn, is the only man in the world to have thrown a javelin over 100 meters. Additionally, the Luftschiffhafen Stadium was the venue where Petra Felke set a remarkable javelin record in September 1988, throwing 80 meters—the only woman ever to achieve such a feat. These records may stand forever, as changes to the weight distribution of javelins have made such distances nearly impossible today.
For many years, sports have also played an essential role in combating xenophobia and promoting tolerance toward people of other nationalities. Many events explicitly embrace the idea of integration through sports, thereby setting important examples of tolerance and respectful interaction.
