The activist group Last Generation attacked the starting line of the Berlin Marathon.
The super-fast marathon route in Berlin was once again producing high times. Ethiopian Tigst Assefa broke the marathon women’s world record by more than two minutes, with a time of 2:11:53.
Kenyan in men Eliud Kipchoge won in Berlin for a record fifth time. He crossed the finish line in 2:02.42, about one and a half minutes behind his ME time of 2:01.09.
Read more: A crushing world record run at the marathon! The new ME woman debuted in the marathon only last year
Just before the start, a confusing situation was seen when climate activists ran onto the route. They had orange paint with them which they spread on the road.
The police quickly intervened in the events and took the protesters off the route just one minute before the planned departure of the marathon, reports news agency Reuters.
Deutsche Welle tellsthat the activist group Last Generation had given advance warning that they were going to protest during the Berlin Marathon.
A representative of the competition organization Jürgen Lock stated before the race that he hoped that nothing untoward would happen because of the protests, but said that the race organizers have plans in case of protests.
Earlier this week, Last Generation activists disrupted rush hour traffic in 20 different destinations and sprayed the Brandenburg Gate with orange paint.
The activist group founded in 2021 has members in at least Germany, Italy and Austria. The group’s name comes from the fact that they feel they are the last generation with a chance to stop the destruction of the world.
The group has relied on civil disobedience, for example by gluing themselves to roads or airport asphalt to disrupt traffic. Last Generation demands that the German government abandon fossil fuels by 2030. Germany aims to be carbon neutral by 2045.
German Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser toldthat since 2022 Last Generation has committed 580 crimes involving 740 people.
According to Faeser, the group does not help in climate protection, but “does enormous” damage to raising awareness.
Last Generation members say their rights are being violated by companies and government officials by not taking enough action, thereby increasing the likelihood of catastrophic climate change impacts.
Attacks by climate activists, such as the Just Stop Oil group, have been seen at several sporting events this year, including the snooker World Championships, the Wimbledon tennis tournament and the athletics Diamond League.