Berlin, 26 July 2013 In addition to its regular major sporting events such as ISTAF and the BMW Berlin Marathon, some rather extraordinary world championships are bringing visitors to the German capital this year.

“Horsepower” in the summer: World Championships for Icelandic Horses 2013

One highlight this summer are the World Championships for Icelandic Horses, taking place from 4–11 August in Berlin. Participants from eighteen countries will be at the starting gates for their races in the newly built arena at Pferdesportpark Berlin-Karlshorst. The opening day will also see artistic equestrian competitions in the form of dressage and stunt riding.

World championships in beach dodgeball, splash diving or coffee

Berlin provides the perfect arena for just about any event. This weekend, for example, Berlin is hosting the Beach Dodgeball World Championships for the eleventh time. Fifteen teams will test their ability to outlast the competition on the grounds of BeachMitte from 25–28 July. The Splash Diving World Championship, a freestyle version of the high dive, is coming to the Sommerbad Neukölln (outdoor swimming pool) from 15–18 August. In addition to German teams, participants and fans from Australia and the Philippines are expected. Less sporty, but with just as much pleasure, will be the Coffee Olympiad from 17–19 September, where world-renowned baristas will compete with their espresso and cappuccino creations.

Berlin is the City for Sports

Berlin is repeatedly chosen as a stage for international sporting events, whether it's at the racetrack, in outdoor pools, sports fields or large arenas like O2 World, Max-Schmeling-Halle or Velodrom. The events are not just an image boost for the capital. With 55,000 fans at the last ISTAF and about a million visitors from 120 nations for the BMW Berlin Marathon, sport is an important business for the city. For more information about sport in Berlin: sport.visitBerlin.com

(2,055 characters)

Events at a Glance

25–28 Jul 2013

Beach Dodgeball Championship

The 11th Beach Dodgeball World Championships with 15 nations competing. Admission free. Location: BeachMitte.

4–11 Aug 2013

World Championship for Icelandic Horses

The best horses and riders from 18 countries compete in various disciplines. Location: digibet Pferdesportpark Karlshorst.

10–11 Aug 2013

FINA Swimming World Cup

Top athletes in the international swimming scene compete in short-course (25m) competition. Location: Sprung- und Schwimmhalle Europapark.

15–18 Aug 2013

Splashdiving German and World Cup

Splashdiving is the freestyle version of the high dive. Location: Sommerbad Neukölln

6–7 Sep 2013

Pyronale

The Fireworks World Championships. Location: Maifeld at Olympic Stadium.

13–14 Sep 2013

2013 Women's European Volleyball Championships

From 6–14 September, the women's European volleyball championships will be playing in cities across Germany and Switzerland. The finals will take place in Berlin. Location: Max-Schmeling-Halle

17–19 Sep 2013

Coffee Olympiad

Baristas show their masterpieces: from 17–19 September, Berlin will become the world's coffee capital. Location: KOSMOS Berlin.

30 Nov 2013

World Championship of Latin American Dancing

Each year, Berlin's dance sport clubs host international tournaments in Berlin. The programme includes samba, cha cha cha, rumba, paso doble and jive. Location: Max Schmeling Halle.