|
Fallen sports athletes remembered
 Nederlandse tekst
AMSTERDAM (Neth.) - May 4 is the annual Memorial Day in the Netherlands where war victims of World War II are being remembered.
Besides the National Memorial Ceremonies at Amsterdam (attended by Queen Beatrix) and The Hague (amongst other locations) in the evening, a special Memorial Ceremony is held in the afternoon near the historic Olympic Stadium in Amsterdam.
For the sixth year in a row, a National Sports Memorial took place to remember athletes of the Dutch sports world who were victims during World War II.
This ceremony takes place annually in front of the Olympic Stadium in Dutch capital Amsterdam, the site of the 1928 Olympic Games.
This ceremony starts at 12:30 PM, which has become a symbolic time, as this was the time when the Dutch sports world first learned of the war on September 3, 1939 when, during a soccer match in Rotterdam, word came that war was declared.
During this year's ceremony, there were speeches by Erica Terpstra, the Chairman of the Netherlands Olympic Committee (NOC*NSF), Lodewijk Asscher, acting Mayor of the Municipality of Amsterdam, and Paul Slettenhaar, Chairman of city-borough Amsterdam-Zuid, where the Olympic Stadium is located.
All mentioned the importance of sports during those difficult years, but also that several athletes did not return to their clubs simply because of the their religion, background or sexual orientation.
During his speech Mayor Asscher stated ''that Dutch sports grew spectacular in the beginning of World War II.
The wish to have a normal life was big and sports played an important part in that.
(...) But in 1941, Jewish people weren't allowed to play sports anymore and some clubs had to be ended.
A lot of clubmembers went into hiding, some of them in the basements of the Olympic Stadium.
(...) In September of 1944, is was prohibited to play outdoor sports in general.
(...) Many clubs lost up to 90 percent of their members.
Not because they played sports, but because of their backgrounds.
Or because they played a role in the resistance.
Today, we remember them.''
After the three speeches, five wreaths in the Olympic colors were placed in front of the Statue of Prometheus, followed by a 2-minute moment of silence and the playing of the Dutch National Anthem.
For the first time, the Memorial Ceremony was followed by a soccergame with the participation of national role models from sports, media, politics and culture to be joined by youth from Amsterdam.
The game had to underscore that especially sport can play a major part to stimulate understanding and respect.
It's message was to create respect for each other and to underscore the importance of the two minutes of silence at 8 o'clock in the evening.
On the back's of the shirt a text read 'Soccer for two minutes of silence'.
Amongst the wellknown personalities who participated in the game were veteran sportsjournalist and talkshow-host Frits Barend, sports-show host Humberto Tan, Olympic rowing champion 2008 Kirsten van der Kolk, VVD-political party Amsterdam-chairman Eric van der Burg, rappers Ali B and Yes-R, actor Bas Muijs and stand-up comedian Rachid Larouz.
Also attending were former National Soccer Team-player Edgar Davids, funnyman Peter Heerschop (who acted as coach) and sportsjournalist Barbara Barend.
The famous 'Marathon Tower' outside the entrance of the Olympic Stadium
The main entrance of the Olympic Stadium in Amsterdam
Paul Slettenhaar, chairman of city-borough Amsterdam-Zuid, during his speech
NOC*NSF Chairman Erica Terpstra also remembered the atheletes
An overview of the rememberance area outside the stadium
Lodewijk Asscher, Acting Mayor of Amsterdam, represented the city of Amsterdam
Erica Terpstra and Nicolien Sauerbreij (Olympic Snowboard Gold 2010) carry one of the five wreaths
Amsterdam's Mayor Lodewijk Asscher and Borough-Chairman Paul Slettenhaar do the same
Executive Officer Rik van den Boog (left) and former player Frank de Boer
represented Amsterdam soccer-club Ajax
Director Hans Lubberding (left) represented the Board of the Olympic Stadium
The fifth wreath was placed by representatives of the tenants of the Olympic Stadium
Some of the invited guests look on during the moment of silence,
which was followed by the playing of the Dutch National Anthem
Former Ajax-player Frank de Boer is interviewed by SBS6-Shownieuws
Amongst the attendees was former national team baseball-player Wim Crouwel (center)
The fives wreaths in the Olympic colors near the statue of Prometheus
After the memorial, the historic Olympic Stadium was the site for a soccergame
Rapper Yes-R (left) and actor Bas Muijs were amongst the participants in the soccergame
Rapper Ali B (right) poses with youth players
Former National Team soccer-player Edgar Davids with Olympic Stadium Director Henk Lubberding
The two soccerteams enter the playing field
The teams present themselves to the spectators; Amongst the players are (right to left):
stand-up comedian Rachid Larouz, Eric van der Burg (VVD political party-chairman Amsterdam),
actor Bas Muijs, sports anchor Humberto Tan and Kirsten van der Kolk (Olympic Rowing Gold 2008)
Sports-show host Humberto Tan in action during the game
Veteran sports-journalist and talkshow-host Frits Barend also participated
| 
