A few days ago, Tim Lobinger declared that there was no cure for him and that the doctors recommended that he prepare for his death. The former pole vault world champion also has to share this news with his family, with his three children. On Saturday, one of them provides a moment of happiness.
Collect as many beautiful moments as possible, experience "milestones", that's what the former pole vault world champion Tim Lobinger hopes for. After the sad announcement that there would be no cure for his cancer, he told the "Bild" newspaper: "It's worth fighting for every day that I can live and spend with my family." On Saturday, the 50-year-old experienced a moment of happiness: his son Lex-Tyger scored his first goal in professional football.
The 23-year-old has been playing for 1. FC Kaiserslautern since this season, and he was a guest at Hamburger SV on the eleventh matchday of the second Bundesliga. And it was Lobinger who scored the 1-1 draw with his goal in the 82nd minute. First goalkeeper Andreas Luthe saved a penalty kick from Sonny Kittel (81st), immediately afterwards substitute Lobinger equalized for the guests. Things are going very well in the promotion season for those eighth in the table - now the Red Devils have also been able to score points against the leaders. Kaiserslautern remained undefeated for the seventh time in a row.
"Indescribable. That's something I won't forget in a hurry," Lobinger told ARD. "I'm just trying to get in front of the defender, put my foot out, then I saw the ball hit the goal and then it was time to celebrate." The former Düsseldorfer explained: "A load fell off me, I'm just happy now."
His father also cheered, he proudly posted a story with and about his son on Instagram. In several pictures together, he wrote: "Defined a goal in 2018, trained and trained for it - happened." The comments "simply exciting" and "simply proud".
Last week he told "Bild" the bitter truth about his severe cancer: "I will no longer be cured, my cancer is too aggressive." Especially the conversations with his children were hard. In addition to Lex-Tyger, he has 27-year-old Fee and 6-year-old Okkert as children. "You know how bad it is for me." The doctors had previously told the 2003 indoor world champion that his death was approaching and that he should take care of arrangements and his funeral.
The participation was huge. But Lobinger has not lost his will to live: "There are always small ways that allow you to draw strength and not lose hope." His son certainly did everything for it on Saturday evening.
(This article was first published on Sunday, October 09, 2022.)
