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As the final of the Wanda Diamond League, Weltklasse Zürich stands for top-class sport, but also for values that go beyond medals: courage, inspiration, and sustainability. No one embodied these values more impressively than track and field star Jesse Owens, whose legacy lives on to this day.
In the run-up to Weltklasse Zürich, the final of the Wanda Diamond League, a strong signal was sent on Tuesday in the park of “The Circle” at Zurich Airport. In memory of Owens’ four gold medals at the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin, two oak trees from Berlin were planted. He received an oak seedling for each of his gold medals.
In the presence of Jesse Owens’ descendants, Petr Stastny (CEO Wanda Diamond League), Christoph Joho (Co-Meeting Director Weltklasse Zürich) and Stefan Feldmann (Head The Circle at Zurich Airport), Jesse Owens’ legacy was honored.
“It is a great pleasure for us to bring this legacy to Zurich – and to set an example here for sustainability and the promotion of young talent. With this gesture, we are not only honoring the history of Jesse Owens, but also creating a symbol for the next generation of athletes,” emphasized Stastny.
Joho added: “The Jesse Owens Rising Star Award will be presented to the two best U23 athletes at Weltklasse Zürich in the Letzigrund Stadium. This is very much in line with our aim of promoting future champions.”
“Zurich Airport, as a gateway to the world, and the large park at The Circle are ideal locations for planting these two symbolic oak trees,” says Feldmann enthusiastically.
The initiative continues a tradition that began in Brussels in 2024. This symbolic power is also to live on in Zurich. The trees stand for sustainability, promoting young talent, and the values embodied by Weltklasse Zurich and the Wanda Diamond League.
Weltklasse Zurich has been awarded the Gold Standard by World Athletics for its comprehensive commitment to sustainability – international recognition for sustainable meeting organization.