Sydney Marathon medal mistakenly features Munich stadium instead of local landmark
Sydney Marathon organisers have admitted an "unfortunate error" after finisher medals for next week's race were found to depict a Munich stadium instead of Sydney's own Allianz Stadium. The event takes place on 30 August.
Organisers of the Sydney Marathon have acknowledged an "unfortunate error" after the finisher's medal for the upcoming race turned out to feature the wrong stadium.
The medal design, unveiled this week on the event's official Instagram account, was described as showcasing a Sydney skyline with landmarks along the course, from the Harbour Bridge to the Opera House. However, one of the buildings depicted is not Sydney's own Allianz Stadium at Moore Park, which the marathon route actually passes, but rather the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany.
Organisers respond
A TCS Sydney Marathon spokesperson said on Sunday that "a little too much international flavour" had made its way onto the medal due to the incorrect stadium depiction. The spokesperson said organisers would not shy away from the mistake, adding it had given people plenty to talk about over the weekend, mostly in good humour.
The error was first reported by the BBC and drew amused reactions from several running blogs. The Munich stadium, which opened in 2005 and is home to Bayern Munich football club, responded with surprise in the comments of one blog post.
The reverse side of the medal features an indigo and gold design by First Nations artist Ambrose Killian, representing the course's kilometres and the eight global major marathons. Killian told the BBC he had no involvement in the design of the medal's other side.
Organisers said the mistake does not change what the medal represents, noting it reflects months of early mornings and preparation by participants. They thanked runners and partners for taking the error in good humour and said their focus remains on delivering a safe and memorable event.
The Sydney Marathon will be held on 30 August. Last year, around 35,000 runners from more than 120 countries took part, marking the event's first year as a World Marathon major.
