Video: Amsterdam launches tram honoring Johan Cruijff
A tram dedicated to Dutch football legend Johan Cruijff was launched in Amsterdam on Monday, which would have been Cruijff's 69th birthday. The tram was launched at 14:14 to pay tribute to the number Cruijff wore on his jersey for much of his football career. The idea came from a tram driver Wadily, who was a Cruijff fan since childhood. “He gave the typical courage of Amsterdam to the world of football” he said in the Het Parool. Amsterdam transport company GVB immediately embraced his proposal and made it a reality in just two weeks. The tram is completely covered by images and quotes of the Dutch legend. It was put in service on line 9, but it will go around the city without a precise itinerary. The guests on the tram's first trip included Mr. Ajax Sjaak Swart, some relatives of the legendary football player and some members of his Cruijff foundation, in addition to a lot of journalists. “This is an unique and beautiful tribute”, a member of the Cruijff management said to NU.nl. “GVB links connect Amsterdam. Cruijff links people all over the world. We are honored to have launched this tram”, Tom Middelkoop of the GVB management said to NU.nl. The tram will run for 5 weeks, from April the 25th till May, the 22nd, 2016. Cruijff passed away on March 24th after a battle with lung cancer. Since he's death there's been numerous tributes to the football legend, including from his former clubs Ajax, Barcelona and the Dutch national team Oranje. There's even an ongoing petition to rename the Amsterdam ArenA to the Johan Cruijff Stadium, though the proposal is currently on hold, and the Royal Mint is working on a five-euro memorial coin. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltRwCNnHI9Q