A ripple of cheers echoes across the Sachsendamm. The Willibald-Gebhardt-Sportzentrum stands before you. Its history whispers from the very stones.
Welcome to the Willibald-Gebhardt-Sportzentrum a vibrant hub of athletic achievement in Berlin’s Schoneberg district. Before it was renamed in 2003 it was known as the Sportzentrum Schoneberg. This complex of sporting facilities has witnessed decades of thrilling competitions and dedicated training. It was built in 1955 and 1967. It was a statement a testament to West Berlin’s athletic prowess during the Cold War’s system rivalry. The impressive complex was designed to be a top-tier training center.
The heart of the Willibald-Gebhardt-Sportzentrum is its iconic swimming hall. Opened in 1967 it was once hailed as the most modern in Europe. Imagine Mark Spitz himself gliding through these very waters setting multiple world records shortly after its opening. The hall boasts 50-meter lanes a diving platform reaching 10 meters high and seating for 1000 spectators. It hosted events at the 1978 World Aquatics Championships. To this day about 20 swimming and water polo clubs train here. This includes Spandau 04 multiple German champions. They even hold their Champions League home games here. The impressive building even features an elevator at the diving tower and an underwater viewing window.
But the Willibald-Gebhardt-Sportzentrum is more than just a swimming pool. The adjacent sports hall hosts its own share of remarkable events. With seating for 1400 spectators it has played host to the 1959 World Cadre 71/2 Billiards Championships and the 1964 German Women’s Handball Championship. In 1992 the Ukrainian pole vaulter Serhij Bubka broke a world record here. This was at the Springer Meeting organized by Rudi Thiel.
The Willibald-Gebhardt-Sportzentrum also includes a sports field with a grass surface and track and field facilities. It even houses the Gerhard-Schlegel Sports School of the Berlin State Sports Federation a training ground for future athletic leaders. This sprawling complex once occupied the site of the Dominicus-Sportplatz a sports field dating back to the 1920s. The name itself Willibald-Gebhardt-Sportzentrum is a tribute to Willibald Gebhardt the founder of the Olympic movement in Germany. A commemorative plaque dedicated to him was unveiled on November 10 2005.
As you stand here today feel the energy. Feel the echoes of past triumphs. The Willibald-Gebhardt-Sportzentrum isn’t just a collection of buildings. It’s a living testament to athletic spirit ambition and the enduring legacy of Willibald Gebhardt.