According to Erika Müller-Kupferschmidt, district officer of the German Sports Badge, the number of graduates is still low because of Corona. In 2019, 310 people made the sports badge in Bad Dürkheim, in 2020 there were 178, last year around 190. Kreiskott from TV Dürkheim was not only one of the most successful participants – at 90 years old she was also the oldest. The oldest participant was Ludwig Mesel from the running club, who at the age of 86 has already passed 17 exams. But very young people were also successful: Leni-Sophie Rogge from LTV and Felix and Hannes Blankenfuland, all five years old. 109 athletes came from the LTV, 41 from the TV, eleven from the LC, two from the DLRG and two from the judo club, plus there were sporty people without a club.
According to Müller-Kupferschmidt, these included two police candidates last year. They were all successful. The person responsible for the German Sports Badge particularly remembers a police candidate who came at the last inspection date, urgently needed the badge and was jittery just before the 3000 meter distance. “We trembled with her and cheered her on,” says Müller-Kupferschmidt, describing the beautiful and ultimately successful experience for her. One participant completed the sports badge for people with disabilities. “Here I always experience an inhibition threshold, you don’t dare,” regrets Müller-Kupferschmidt. She emphasizes that the sports badge is also offered by Lebenshilfe. After the dissolution of the city sports association, the gymnastics club is again responsible for the sports badge.
The year 2021 did not start so well, reports Müller-Kupferschmidt. In addition to the high corona numbers, the sports badge meeting leader Gerd Kopp was absent due to illness. Müller-Kupferschmidt and Anja Hoffmann stepped in and offered ten appointments. There were also four swims. The Kopp couple took the bicycle test at the end of the sports badge season. Certificates that have not been picked up are available in the TV office on Eichstrasse. The new sports badge season starts on May 2nd.
