Letter from Berlin: Final venue has seen the most dramatic of times and worst of humanity

More than most arenas, this beautiful but haunted old house is a character too. A secondary one, sure, but carrying plenty of resonance and impact with it.

The Olympiastadion in Berlin, Germany. Pic: Nick Potts/PA

‘Keine fotos! Keine fotos!” From somewhere, the lady in the orange high-vis vest is suddenly moving at a disarming speed. She had not been vis at all until her sharp, adamant warning pierced the quiet.

No photos, no problem my dear frau. These pictures of Hertha Berlin pre-season training I’ve just taken from 25 metres away, through a hedge aren’t close to my heart and weren’t bound for the Germany 2024 Insta montage anyway.