An illuminated, large-screen projection of Robert Harting will be beamed across the Kurfurstendamm every evening from 10.30pm to midnight until 8 August to mark his farewell to major championships competition at the Berlin 2018 European Athletics Championships from 7-12 August.
The spectacular art campaign started on 31 July in Berlin on the Upper West high-rise building at the Breitscheidplatz - which is also part of the European Mile - and shows Harting in the throwing circle and poised to launch the discus.
'These are Robert Harting's last European Championships and this in his hometown Berlin. We want to accompany and honour the finale of an outstanding career with a very special art campaign of this exceptional Berlin sportsman', said Birgit Zander, director of the Festival of Lights, who came up with this campaign co-sponsor it.
He has been the most successful German athlete over the last decade and Berlin 2018 will be his final international championships! Therefore, it's time to honour @DerHarting as he deserves it right at the European Mile! https://t.co/Z25SndU3RR #Berlin2018 pic.twitter.com/M8Usr8DaBW
— Berlin EM 2018 (@berlin_2018) August 1, 2018
Frank Kowalski, head of the European Championships and CEO of Berlin 2018, said: 'The illumination pays homage to the most successful German athlete of the last ten years. Robert Harting is an extraordinary personality and a sporting icon for the sports metropolis Berlin. It is an impressive gesture of the European Athletics Championships for all citizens of Berlin to join their sports hero for his last international competition.'
The design was created by the Festival of Lights artistic team.
The European Athletics Championships in Berlin will run from 7-12 August 2018. The qualifying round for the men’s discus takes place on the morning session of 7 August with the final to take place the following evening.
Further information and tickets are available at www.berlin2018.info.
More information on the 2018 European Championships:
- The Berlin 2018 European Athletics Championships will be part of the first multi-sport European Championships along with co-hosts Glasgow.
- It will be a must-watch, must-attend experience that elevates the status of European Champions, uniting existing European Championships to celebrate the highest honour in European sport and celebrating the defining moments that create Champions.
- It is the continent’s ultimate multi-sport event, an 11-day celebration of European sport staged every four years.
- Seven of Europe’s leading sports (athletics, aquatics, rowing, golf, cycling, gymnastics, triathlon) will be brought together for the first edition.
- The European Athletics Championships in Berlin will be staged 7-12 August. The six other sports will be staged in Glasgow through 2-12 August.
- 4500 athletes and 52 nations will compete across the seven sports.
- Potential TV audience of over one billion with millions more across multiple digital platforms.
- Over half a million spectators expected.