Press releases

Once again this year, the City of Aachen and the City Sports Association honored the top athletes, teams, and deserving members for their long-standing volunteer work with local sports clubs. In Aachen’s “parlor,” the Coronation Hall at Aachen City Hall, Mayor Dr. Michael Ziemons and the Chairman of the City Sports Association, Björn Jansen, jointly honored this year’s award recipients in a festive setting. Mayor Ziemons expressed his enthusiasm: “It fills me with great joy and appreciation to be able to honor you here today. With discipline, passion, and courage, you demonstrate what can be achieved when you believe in yourself, and you inspire us all to pursue our own goals with heart and perseverance.”

Björn Jansen reflected on the athletes’ achievements: “Behind every sporting success lie countless hours of training, personal challenges, setbacks, and the unwavering determination to constantly push one’s limits. Today we are celebrating not only the successes, but above all the people behind them. It fills us with great joy and gratitude to work together with the City of Aachen to highlight these impressive achievements and to show the athletes the appreciation they deserve.”

2026 Sports Awards: List of Honorees

Long-time Volunteers

• Caro Noerenberg, Burtscheider Gymnastics Club 1873, Inc.
• Jörg Holländer, St. Donatus Shooting Club Brand 1834, Inc.
• Günter Prenting, Sports Club of the Kaiser-Karls-Gymnasium, 1977
• Ralf Klinkenberg, Burtscheider Turnerbund Aachen 1908 e.V.
• Peter Schopp, Aachen Sports Club Schwarz-Rot 06 e.V.
• Cornel Thevis, Aachen Sports Club Schwarz-Rot 06 e.V.
• Dr. Dr. Michael Suchodoll, Brander Swimming Club 1973, Inc.

Award (have already received the seal in previous years)

• Lara Vandenhirtz, Aachen Swimming Club 06 e.V.: Swimming
• Dieter Schröders, Aachen Deaf Sports Club 1942 e.V.: Swimming
• Jaden Eikermann, SV Neptun 1910 Aachen e.V.: Diving
• Jazzelle Eikermann, SV Neptun 1910 Aachen e.V.: Diving
• William Ackmann, SV Neptun 1910 Aachen e.V.: Diving
• SV Neptun 1910 Aachen e.V. Men's Team: Diving
• TSV Hertha Walheim 1920 e.V. Women's Team: Judo
• Arthur Akopjan, TSV Hertha Walheim 1920 e.V.: Judo
• Manfred Feykes, Karlsschützen-Gilde vor 1198 Aachen e.V.: Shooting sports
• Karlsschützen Team (Men) Karlsschützen-Gilde vor 1198 Aachen e.V.: Shooting Sports

Bronze Seal of Charlemagne

• Women's A Team, Aachener Sportkeglerverein 1904 e.V.: Skittles
• Sabine Zimmermann: Aachen Swimming Club 06, Inc.: Swimming
• Uschi Freitag, SV Neptun 19010 Aachen e.V.: Diving
• Lucie Freitag-Fransen, SV Neptun 19010 Aachen e.V.: Diving
• Jennifer Klaus, TSV Hertha Walheim 1920 e.V.: Judo
• Brigitte Benden, Karlsschützen-Gilde vor 1198 Aachen e.V.: Shooting sports
• Andreas Schwartz, Brander Swimming Club 1973, Inc.: Swimming
• Dieter Schröders/Thomas Schiefer, Aachen Deaf Sports Club 1942 e.V.: Darts

Silver Seal of Charlemagne

• LG Aachen Track and Field Team: Track and Field
• Marko Nedeljkovic, BC Helios Aachen 1912 e.V.: Boxing

Golden Seal of Charlemagne

• Aachen Aixplosives, University Sports / Aachen Greyhounds e.V.: Softball
• Alexander Voran-Ahmadi, Aachen Deaf Sports Club 1942 e.V.: Darts
• Thomas Schiefer, Aachen Deaf Sports Club 1942 e.V.: Darts
• Alexander Voran-Ahmadi/Thomas Schiefer, Aachen Deaf Sports Club 1942 e.V.: Darts
• Men's Team, Aachen Deaf Sports Club 1942 e.V.: Darts
• Nina Berger, SV Neptun 1910 Aachen e.V.: Diving
• Tim Axer, SV Neptun 1910 Aachen e.V.: Diving
• Women's Team, Blau-Weiss Aachen 1962 e.V. Tennis Club: Tennis
• Aaron Krautscheid/Andy Jekel, TSC Schwarz-Gelb Aachen e.V.: Dance Sport
• Obsidian Dragons, Aachener Hockey-Club 1906 e.V.: Cheerleading
• Pia Sophie Huppertz, BSG Aachen 1926 e.V.: Swimming

• Yannick Kunz, BSG Würselen e.V. / Aachener Sportkeglerverein 1904 e.V.: Skittles