Andreas 'Res' Brügger has shaped the international athletics meeting in the Letzigrund stadium like no other. In 1973 he took over the management. From a meeting marked by problems and internal discussions and with an empty meeting box office, Brügger formed today's most important one-day athletics meeting in the world and one of the most prestigious sporting events in the country. In the 27-year-old era of Bruges, 19 world records were set in the Letzigrund stadium. Brügger was the initiator of the athletics series Golden Four with the meetings in Oslo, Brussels, Berlin and Zurich, which were held from 1993 to 1997. And also the successful Golden League, which was created as a follow-up product in 1998, can be traced back to the great commitment of Brügger. "For him, the athletes were always at the centre. He did all this out of passion and love for athletics," says IAAF President Sebastian Coe about the father of Weltklasse Zürich.
Foundation of the VfG/LCZ as key to success
In 1983 Res Brügger founded the Verein für Großveranstaltungen des Leichtathletik-Clubs Zürich (VfG/LCZ) as the new sponsor of the meeting. This step made it possible to streamline the meeting organisation. The professionalism and agility gained laid the foundation for success, especially in the areas of television rights and sponsoring. A new era of marketing was initiated and its success continues to this day. The VfG/LCZ supports Swiss athletics with an annual sum of around 600,000 Swiss francs.
"We are very proud that Res received this award from IAAF President Seb Coe. This award recognizes Res's great passion and lifelong commitment to athletics," said Andreas Hediger and Christoph Joho, today's co-meeting directors of Weltklasse Zurich, and VfG/LCZ President Felix Frei at the honorable moment of yesterday evening. Res Brügger was unable to attend the IAAF Gala in Monaco for health reasons. He was represented by his visibly moved son Urs Brügger. Weltklasse Zürich, the VfG/LCZ and the Zurich Athletics Club congratulate Res Brügger on this award and thank him for his great services to Swiss athletics.
