Sweating for university

On 21 June, the time has come: a team of students and staff from the University of Oldenburg will compete in the "Sportabzeichen Uni Challenge" against universities from Hanover, Vechta, Braunschweig, Darmstadt and Erfurt. The athletes have been preparing for the competition since the beginning of April, and anyone interested can join the training programme at any time. The speciality: The athletes compete in the Sportabteichen Uni Challenge in a long-distance duel, with each team competing simultaneously on their own campus. Live broadcasts between the venues will keep participants up to date on which university is currently in the lead. The German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) and the health insurance company BKK24 initiated the event for the first time in 2015. Last year, the University of Oldenburg took part for the first time with its own team. Higher, faster, further The University Sports Badge Challenge aims to motivate students, lecturers and administrative and technical staff to take part in the competition on behalf of their university. This year, alumni can also take part for the first time. The focus is on athletics: high jump and long jump, shot put, throwing, sprint and endurance runs. Participants can also collect points for their university by jumping rope. Settlement is based on the number of disciplines passed. One to three points are awarded in each age group - depending on whether the performance is good enough for bronze, silver or gold. All universities organise special training sessions in the weeks leading up to the event. The Oldenburg team trains every Wednesday at the Wechloy sports centre. It is possible to join the training programme at any time.