Dark clouds, high spirits: The weather can’t stop Relay Day Three

In the interview, Dr Christiane Schenderlein talks about team spirit, volunteering and the unique atmosphere

Before Dr Christiane Schenderlein took to the course herself as part of a relay team, the politician gave the starting signal for one of the start waves. She then experienced the atmosphere along the course first-hand and took in the event from a spectator’s perspective. We had the opportunity to speak with Dr Christiane Schenderlein about her impressions of the event, the importance of team spirit and the role of volunteering at sporting events.

Dr Schenderlein, today you are not only here as a politician, but also as an active member of a relay team. What does it feel like to not just talk about sport, but to experience it yourself?

Dr Christiane Schenderlein: It is a fantastic experience to be part of a relay team today and to be able to run myself. Despite all the challenges of a busy schedule, it is important to me to stay active and exercise regularly in everyday life. Being part of a team makes it even more enjoyable. That is why I want to do my very best today, for myself and for my team. And that brings us back to my role as Minister of State for Sport and Volunteering: My job is to ensure that our elite athletes can pursue their sport with as few concerns as possible and achieve international success. But we also know that there is no elite sport without grassroots sport. That is why events such as today’s TEAM-Relay are so important for our sporting nation. Today, however, I simply want to enjoy running myself (laughs).

In an interview, you once described yourself as a link between sport, politics and volunteering. Looking at the Berliner Wasserbetriebe 5 x 5K TEAM-Relay Berlin today – many people, many different roles, but one common goal – how do you experience this interaction?

Dr Christiane Schenderlein: Exactly as you have just described it. Each and every one of us brings a different perspective. Some may want to achieve a personal best, while others simply want to reach the finish line. In addition, many people want to help make these goals possible – by handing out drinks, directing participants, or having contributed to the organisation weeks in advance. There are few areas of society where different roles are so closely connected as they are in sport. And when I speak of being a link, I mean that I have the privilege of being responsible for two of the key areas involved: sport itself and volunteering, without which hardly any sporting event would be possible.

At a Jugend trainiert event, you spoke about the special atmosphere and energy of sporting events. How would you describe the atmosphere here at the Berliner Wasserbetriebe 5 x 5K TEAM-Relay Berlin?

Dr Christiane Schenderlein: It simply makes me happy to see so many active and committed people. What makes this event particularly appealing is that people run together in relay teams who may otherwise only know each other as colleagues at work. Today, they may discover that they have even more in common beyond their jobs. I am certain that some of today’s relay teams will lead to new running groups and perhaps even lasting friendships.

In a relay team, everyone naturally takes on a role. Are you more the person who motivates others, or the one who brings calm and stability? And do you see yourself in the same role in your daily life and in your work as Minister of State for Sport and Volunteering at the Federal Chancellery?

Dr Christiane Schenderlein: You would probably have to ask my team that question (laughs). But seriously, I think both qualities are important in my position. By nature, I would describe myself as calm and persistent. Good work is done with focus and concentration. On the other hand, as Minister of State, I also have to lead from the front. I clearly identify the issues I want to tackle. The good thing is that my team is so motivated that I do not have to push them very much.

How important are volunteers for the success of major sporting events such as the Berliner Wasserbetriebe 5 x 5K TEAM-Relay Berlin, and how can this commitment be strengthened and made more visible in the long term?

Dr Christiane Schenderlein: Volunteers are a driving force of our democracy. Without them, our society would not function. This is true in sport as well as in many other areas. That is why, in its very first year of the legislative period, the Federal Government introduced noticeable improvements for volunteers across the country. Our approach is based on three pillars: support, simplification and recognition.

We have already implemented important first steps through the Future Pact for Volunteering. We have increased volunteer and coaching allowances, improved liability regulations and raised tax-free thresholds. This provides additional financial flexibility, reduces bureaucracy and creates more freedom and flexibility for volunteers to focus on their actual work. Further projects and measures within the Future Pact for Volunteering are already being planned.

With a new video campaign, we are making the great diversity of volunteering in our country more visible and tangible.

Anyone seeking specific information about funding opportunities, networking, advisory services or educational programmes for their club or initiative can contact the German Foundation for Engagement and Volunteering (DSEE). Through its hotline and email services, the DSEE is the most important partner in supporting volunteers and civic engagement.
 

Volunteers along and on the relay course

In addition to the many runners on the course, the volunteers themselves also took part in the sporting action. A separate team of volunteers started on each event day. Around 140 volunteers were on duty each day at the Berliner Wasserbetriebe 5 x 5K TEAM-Relay Berlin. They ensured the smooth running of the event both along the course and behind the scenes. We would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank all volunteers for their support. Their commitment makes the Berliner Wasserbetriebe 5 x 5K TEAM-Relay Berlin possible year after year.

Of course, we would also like to congratulate the fastest teams of the evening. In the women’s competition, Team BMF 2 – Ministry of Finance secured victory with a time of 1:52:16. In the men’s competition, Siemens Energy Best Of came out on top in 1:30:53, earning first place.

But it was not only the winning teams who had reason to celebrate. All along the course, people cheered, supported one another and shared plenty of smiles. Once again, the Berliner Wasserbetriebe 5 x 5K TEAM-Relay Berlin demonstrated that team spirit and the shared experience go far beyond sporting results.