As the 26 female discus throwers stretched and paced and prepared themselves in brilliant sunshine for the qualifications held in the city centre’s Museumplein, the announcer’s introductory remarks concluded with an incantation of the 23rd European Athletics Championships’ slogan: “Athletics Like Never Before”.
Not strictly true in this case, as the location, with the patterned-brick and slate splendour of the Rijksmuseum forming a majestic backdrop, had hosted the first athletics events held in the Netherlands in October 1886.
However, this was the first occasion on which European Championship events other than road races have been staged outside the main stadium setting – with the men’s javelin qualifying scheduled later in the afternoon.
Action from the Museum’s grassy square was broadcast live in the 1928 Olympic Stadium where the main part of the Championships are taking place, and the big screens behind the well-populated temporary grandstands cut frequently to the activities a mile or so down the road.
As European Athletics President, Svein Arne Hansen proclaimed earlier this week: “We’re bringing athletics to the people.”
And the people turned up..
Simone had propped her bike up against the hoardings and was balancing her three-year-old son Matteo on top of it so he could get a good view of the mysterious happenings in front of him.
“We were on our way to the playground when we saw this going on and came over,” she said. “I have been trying to explain to Matteo what is going on. He was very interested in what he called the ‘blue men’ marking where the throws landed.”
The yellow mini cars which obediently fetched and carried the fallen discs back to the throwing area were also fascinating to this new athletics observer. “He loves the vans most of all,” said Simone with a smile. “We’ve been here for 15 minutes now. He’s missed his dinner!”
As the throwers set themselves in the throwing cage, the constant bump of music quietened before rearing back up again before the throws landed, masking the thud of metal on turf.
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The little yellow vans were also of great interest to seven-year-old David and eight-year-old Raya as they sat in one of the stands with their father Robert, who had played an anniversary match for his cricket team, VRA, on the same field a few years earlier.
“This is the first time either of them have seen athletics,” he said. “They have been asking why the ladies are facing backwards, and why they keep turning.
“It’s very nice that Amsterdam is doing this. I think it’s really cool that everybody can come here and watch for free in the middle of the city. It’s beautiful.”
Retired couple Annelie and Henk Snelten, who live in Amsterdam’s outskirts, had planned to watch after seeing details of the event on television. “It’s a nice way to spend the day,” said Annelie. “Especially as the weather is good.”
For Japanese visitor Kazuaki Shinomoto, over on a business trip, the experience was a little bewildering. “What is this?” he asked. The explanation seemed to puzzle him even more.
But there was no doubting the reaction of the competitors after the conclusion of competition in both Groups A & B left Julia Fischer of Germany as top qualifier with 66.20m, followed by Croatia’s defending and Olympic champion Sandra Perkovic (65.25m), Germany’s Nadine Müller (64.75m), Shanice Craft (64.59m) and 2014 silver medallist Melina Robert-Michon of France (63.99m).
“The wind was good and that was helpful for the throw,” said Fischer. “The atmosphere here was very relaxed and that's good for a qualification round.”
Müller added: “Like all the other girls, I just love competing here. It gives discus throwing the attention it deserves.'
Throwing in Museum Square was a new experience but a good one for silver medallist Melina Robert-Michon. #ECH2016 pic.twitter.com/X7CZGqrpXa
— European Athletics (@EuroAthletics) July 6, 2016