• 07.08.2018
• Ilka Scheible

GOC-reception with tributes. Wilfried Scheible, CEO of the GOC Tanz Event Management GmbH, greeted the guests quick and easily to the reception of the 15th German Open in Stuttgart and then left the microphone to Dr. MArtin Schairer, Stuttgart's mayor for security, order, and sports. He offered a hearty welcome to the numerous guests of honor.

"For one week Stutgart changes to the dancing world's Mekka. Many dancers populate our city, which presents itself colorful and diverse", said Schairer in his greeting. He introduced Stefan Kaufmann, member of German parliament, as well as representatives of Stuttgart's miunicipal council and "Let’s Dance-Juror“ Joachim Llambi. He finished his greeting list with Shawn Tay, vice president of World Dancesport Federation WDSF and Verena Sulek, director of the Professional Division. With the credo of the American dancer Martha Graham "dancing is the hidden language of the soul", he ended his address and wished the event a good success.

Shawn Tay praised the excellent organization as well as the Kultur- und Kongresszentrum Liederhalle KKL Stuttgart. "German Open is not only a competition, but a festival with the biggest participation of the different nations", he enthused on the event. In this connection he considered the good cooperation with sports director of Tanzsport Deutschland Michael Eichert, Dr. Tim Rausche, vice-president Tanzsport Deutschland, and especially with DTV president Heidi Estler and promised to continue and improve the good cooperation. 

Heidi Estler, president of Tanzsport Deutschland, opened her greetings with a nice gesture. She presented the new mascot to mayor Dr. Schairer and thanked him for the long and generous support through the city. She also thanked WDSF, DOSB, Liederhalle, Maritim, media, and many different persons, daily 150 approximately, who have been working for the event for 15 years now. 

Then she emphasized on the topic "health". She called for Thomas Wirth. He is the regional ederation's doctor since 1989, and the doctor of the German federaton since 1995. One year later he also became anti-doping-delegate. Since then he is member of the anti-doping-commission of WDSF. He also works for the GOC since the beginning 32 years ago as a volunteer. In regard to his special merits, Heidi Estler awarded Thomas Wirth the DTV badge of honor in bronze.

Working with athletes appealed also to Heiner Wolken, who was engaged in 2000 by Grün-Gold-Club Bremen to work with their A-formation. He then earned the DOSB-licence for sport- and physiotherapy and increased his sphere of activity continuously.  Now he has made a name for himself all over the world and supports athletes of many different countries and federations. And this always as a volunteer. Therefore, he was also awarded the DTV badge of honor on bronze.

Dr. Tim Rausche completed the list of speakers. Within his responsibility for marketing and sponsoring he introduced the new coin collection "Tanzsport Deutschland. The limited edition of MDM, the world's biggest coin trading company, celebrates its premiere and was awarded "ten points" by Joachim Llambi. World champions and German champions can be seen on the delicately worked, valuable works of art. The first motives can already be bought ath the GOC at the MDM stand. Tow autograph sessions were very well attended on Tuesday.