Riesa’s athletic heritage dates back to the 19th century. Football, gymnastics, track and field athletics, swimming, boxing, bicycle sport, bowling and acrobatics were among the most popular athletic disciplines over many decades and successful frequently beyond the borders of the city. Due to the economic and political changes triggered by the fall of the Berlin Wall, new strategies were needed to create a new image for Riesa in the mid-1990s. Riesa was to be made famous all over the world. These efforts boosted the attractivity of Riesa for local residents and visitors.
The strategy of the Sport City of Riesa is founded upon three pillars: large-scale athletic
events, support from world-class athletes and intensive coaching of up-and-coming highperformance sport and mass sport.
Riesa has played host to a whole series of world and European championships, world cups and other international competitions in various athletic disciplines since the mid-1990s. Athletes from more than 60 countries went to the starting line.
Athletes from Riesa represent our city in Germany, during the Olympic Games and championships around the world. Acrobats, bowlers and judoka are successful far beyond the borders of the city. By the way, handball is the hot tip for the future.
Riesa gives interested and talented children the complete range of educational options including an emphasis on athletics from kindergarten to grammar and secondary schools to promote the best of their abilities. That also includes the SC Riesa halls of residence where talents from all over Germany live and receive top-flight athletic training.