SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA \u2013 A design blunder has left organisers of the 2026 Sydney Marathon red-faced after unveiling a finisher\u2019s medal featuring a Munich stadium instead of a Sydney landmark.<\/p>\n
The back of the medal features a Sydney skyline showing course landmarks including the Opera House, the Sydney Harbour Bridge and\u2026 the home stadium of football club FC Bayern Munich.<\/p>\n
Marathon organisers admitted the \u201cunfortunate error\u201d in the medal, which displays the German arena\u2019s shape and diamond-patterned exterior instead of the flatter features of Allianz Stadium in Sydney.<\/p>\n
\u201cA little too much international flavour has found its way onto the back of the finishers medal, with an incorrect depiction of the stadium,\u201d a Sydney Marathon spokesperson said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re not going to run from it, it was an unfortunate error, though it\u2019s certainly given everyone something to talk about this weekend, mostly in good humour.\u201d<\/p>\n
Social media users were quick to find humour in the mistake. \u201cOh, dear. Oh, this is bad,\u201d said Instagram account @morningcoffeerun<\/a>, speculating that someone may have mixed up the stadiums in an online search for Allianz.<\/p>\n ALSO READ: Comrades Marathon unveils centenary edition with record 28 000 runner cap<\/a><\/p>\n Humorous reactions<\/p>\n Munich\u2019s Allianz Arena<\/a> treated the medal muddle with good humour. \u201cOh wow, we didn\u2019t have that on our bingo card!\u201d it posted on Instagram. \u201cPerhaps they tried to find something else they had in common: Allianz Arena \u2013 Sydney Opera \u2013 Unique Architecture \u2013 Both are worth a visit!\u201d<\/p>\n Australian media also had fun with the slip. \u201cThe medal that will put Sydney on the map. The wrong map,\u201d a Sydney Morning Herald headline read.<\/p>\n The other side of the Sydney Marathon medal shows a widely praised blue-and-gold design by Indigenous artist Ambrose Killian, who told AFP he was not involved in the creation of the Sydney skyline.<\/p>\n Marathon organisers say they expect a record of more than 40 000 participants who will earn the medal as a \u201cbadge of honour\u201d for completing the 42,2 km course on Sunday 30 August.<\/p>\n \u201cWith the event a week away, this is the medal our finishers will receive,\u201d the Sydney Marathon spokesperson said.<\/p>\n \u201cBehind every one of these medals is months of early mornings, long runs and quiet determination, and having it placed around your neck at the Sydney Opera House is a moment our participants will never forget,\u201d the spokesperson added.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a beautiful medal, and now a little more unique.\u201d<\/p>\n ALSO READ: Masupa prepares for Comrades on back of Cape Town Marathon<\/a><\/p>\n