Of course you have to like such an honor, otherwise the fuss is almost unbearable. Especially in smaller cities like Schwäbisch Gmünd, where the regional train 13 usually stops briefly on the way to Stuttgart, reflexively there is a large train station when the whole world looks enviously at the city for a moment. The great actor Carlo Pedersoli, known as Bud Spencer, better known as the inventor of the Double steam hammerdid not hesitate when a mayor, unknown to him, sent an invitation to a swimming pool that he had long forgotten. Pedersoli immediately packed his suitcase, which was certainly very large, and gave himself the full program: thunderstorms of flashlights, red carpet, cheering crowds, selfies with a doppelganger of his younger self, which are always a bit unfavorable.
When he was interviewed about the entry in the Golden Book, he expressed his amazement that Schwäbisch Gmünd’s outdoor pool had actually been renamed “Bud Bad”. “Fantastico” was it, said Pedersoli. Especially since he had only been to visit twice. 1951 as a swimmer, 1954 as a water polo player.
A quick refreshment: Carlo Pedersoli alias Bud Spencer, Schwäbisch Gmünd laureate.
No, such a bud in the crowd is definitely not for everyone. If you have to go to a place more than three times in your life, you often prefer it not to bear your name. When the citizens of Halle an der Saale considered renaming their swimming pool to Paul-Biedermann-Halle after the world champion who grew up there, he defended himself with hands and feet, which are known to be fin-like. Thank you very much, great honor, said Biedermann. “But that would be too much if I have to go in there every day, and my name is on the outside. Then I’d prefer SV-Halle-Halle or something.”
Or so.
This is perhaps what the footballer Matthias Ginter thought when he received an honor, although it should not have come as a complete surprise. The district league club SC March, in whose ranks Ginter played the first eight years of his career, had advertised before the ultimately less exhilarating 0: 5 against Heitersheim 05 that there was a “small, colorful supporting program with a big surprise at the end”. Lo and behold: the good old Waldstadion is being renamed “Matthias-Ginter-Sportpark”.
The name doesn’t let it grow, but it gives it a sophisticated look. Ginter – not a pensioner like Pedersoli once did, but the next day with the national team in Skopje in the much exhilarating 4: 0 against North Macedonia as a reservist – did not pack a suitcase, did not shout “fantastico”, but he sent a video to the Black Forest with the great one Message that he will “come back if there is time”. No reproach, you can’t expect more from a working person! Nothing more difficult than finding the right time to rename the stadium.
The great Johan Cruyff had to wait a long time before the much smaller Ajax Amsterdam dedicated its arena to him. Some think: too long. He had already been dead for two years. Anyone who names a stadium too early is doing something wrong. Dietmar Hopps TSG Hoffenheim first moved from the “Dietmar-Hopp-Stadion” to the “Rhein-Neckar-Arena”, now she plays in the “Prezero-Arena”. Even a billionaire has to see that the refrigerator is full at the end of the month. Anyone who renames too late becomes suspicious: Why the arena in Istanbul is still called “Ataturk Olympic Stadium” is Recep Erdogan’s secret. Perhaps he suspects what Biedermann knew – that We are Heroes They were right when they sang: “They built a memorial for us. And every complete idiot knows that it spoils love.” Or so.