The Summer Semester 2020 – From Total Shutdown via Digital Sports Offers to Outdoor and Indoor Courses

Copyright: © HSZ

15/06/2020

For a long time, the corona protection ordinance imposed significant restrictions on university sports. Thanks to the current relaxations, the RWTH Aachen University Sports Center (HSZ) can now, under maintenance of special measures, offer an interim sports program of indoor and outdoor courses.

University Sports in Times of Crisis

University sport is important to the lives of students, as evidenced by the great demand for the interim sports program of the University Sports Center. Initially, the transitional sports program took place exclusively outdoors. New structures had to be created for this, as, for instance, separate entrance and exit routes. Despite these restrictions, the program was well received by students. “It makes clear the great demand of students for physical activity and social contacts” said Peter Lynen, Head of the HSZ.

Relaxations in University Sports

By now, the course program has been expanded with indoor courses. Currently, 34 of the usually over 100 sports are in the program. The RWTH GYM has been reopened with special hygiene measures put into place. From June 15, the Königshügel stadium will again be accessible. Consequently, the running track and finnbahn will be reopened limitedly.

Lousberglauf Digital powered by STAWAG

This year’s Lousberglauf powered by STAWAG will take place in digital form. “An event which has taken part thirty times has cult character. It would have been a shame not to have the 31. Lousberglauf take place.” explained Peter Lynen. The Lousberglauf Digital is the last run of a four-part series. Participants are given the distance to cover and a one-week time window in which to run it. Afterwards, the runners can submit their results online. Participation is free of charge and open to all. The Lousberglauf Digital has an additional charitable dimension. “We would be delighted if the participants who have the financial means, gave a donation to Tafel NRW”, said Tobias Vogelsang, event coordinator of the HSZ.

Further Course of the Interim Sports Program

The interim sports program will continue in its current form until July 17. The program coordinators hope that from July 20 contact sports like football or ultimate frisbee can resume.

View to the Winter Semester

How things will carry on from there is not yet clear. However, Peter Lynen is hopeful about the winter semester. “The event ban in NRW runs until the end of August and we hope, with appropriate safety measures, to be able to carry out some, if not all, events of the winter semester.”