The Sport Austria Finals powered by Austrian Lotteries will open in 43 days. After three editions in Graz, the event will take place in Innsbruck.
Vienna/Innsbruck (OTS) – Vienna, House of Sports, Hall of Mirrors. Around six weeks before the opening of the Sport Austria Finals powered by Austrian Lotteries at the forecourt of the Landestheater Innsbruck, Sports Minister and Vice Chancellor Werner Kogler, Erwin van Lambaart (General Director of Austrian Lotteries), Cathryn Binder-Taisser (Decathlon Austria) and four athletes spoke alongside Sport Austria President Hans Niessl about the upcoming major event.
“We have to look back: something special has emerged in the last three years after the pandemic; the Sport Austria Finals have grown in a very short time. I was impressed by the variety of sports in Graz, now I’m off to Innsbruck. There is a great Olympic tradition there, which fits with the finals, which are often referred to as the national Olympic Games,” emphasized Sports Minister and Vice Chancellor Werner Kogler.
Sport Austria President Hans Niessl is confident about the fourth edition: “Sports fans can look forward to great Sport Austria Finals powered by Austrian Lotteries, which are very well prepared on site. We feel that we are welcome in Innsbruck and all of Tyrol and we feel that the finals have become the largest multi-sport event in Austria. The organization is in full swing, the finals are being talked about on every corner in Innsbruck. That’s a good sign, a lot of people want to be there.”
Not only is the venue new this year, the concept has also been slightly adapted. 32 associations determine their (state) champions in 44 sports at 25 sports venues. The presenting partner is also new: the Austrian Lotteries, the largest funding provider for Austrian sport, was won over. “It is well known that we live responsibility. We are there for Austria when it comes to culture, but also when it comes to sport. It seemed logical to us to support the finals. “This is a huge event that was built in just a few years,” says Erwin van Lambaart, General Director of the Austrian Lotteries.
With luge and ski bobsleigh on Bergisel, the Austrian state climbing championships in lead climbing and speed in the Innsbruck climbing center or the archery competitions in the Tivoli Stadium, numerous spectacular sports venues await fans. Combined with the impressive mountain backdrop in and around Innsbruck, the Sport Austria Finals powered by Austrian Lotteries will set new standards this year. The whole of Tyrol should live and experience the largest championship party in the country: from wakeboarding in Area 47 to the sailing competitions on Lake Achensee.
In addition to precise planning and long-term preparation, the implementation of such a major event requires many helping hands. The approximately 300 volunteers are equipped by Decathlon Austria. “More than 40 sports are taking part in the finals, we have products for over 70 sports, that fits together very well. We want to make emotions tangible, which is exactly what happens at this great event. Plus, just like the finals, we’ve grown over the last few years. We opened the first branch in Austria in 2018, we now have five locations and have been able to write numerous success stories,” says Cathryn Binder-Taisser from Decathlon Austria.
While the preparations are in full swing, the anticipation among the athletes is increasing. Taekwondoin Marlene Jahl was already at the finals last year and is aggressive after narrowly missing out on Olympic qualification: “Taekwondo has already benefited from the Sport Austria Finals, the event is a huge stage for us. Taekwondo is very important in Innsbruck, we are in a super cool location there. Unfortunately I’ll miss the Olympic Games, but there are still two highlights this year with the European Championships and the finals.”
Disc golfer Stanislaus Amann is looking forward to the competition. Spectacular pictures are guaranteed, disc golf takes place in the finish area of the Nordic Arena in Seefeld. “The anticipation is huge, the whole community is excited about the competition. There are some contenders for the title, but for me the only thing that counts is victory.”
Cheerleading has been a great enrichment in Graz over the last three years and impressed with spectacular shows and full ranks. “Cheerleading has received more attention in recent years, which makes us all very happy,” says Nina Ringl from the Danube Dragons. “We are still missing the national championship title, maybe we can do that at the Sport Austria Finals.”
Softball player Chiara Voglsam was able to win the slowpitch title with the Witches & Bandits in all three previous editions. Graz was a good place, things should be similar in Innsbruck: “The finals are very important to us. Our sport is particularly characterized by the family atmosphere and the joy of sport.”
About the Sport Austria Finals:
The Sport Austria Finals were launched in 2020. After three successful editions in Graz, the multi-sport event with state championships in more than 25 sports is moving to Innsbruck. At the Sport Austria Finals powered by Austrian Lotteries, around 6,500 athletes from 31 associations will determine their best and thus the Austrian national champions in 250 medal decisions on four days of competition (May 29th to June 2nd, 2024). There will also be an opening ceremony, joint winners’ ceremonies and a diverse supporting program with sport and culture – and all of this with free entry for all Innsbruck residents, Tyroleans and the many finals visitors from all over Austria.
Questions & Contact:
Matthias Nemetz
nemetz@nwms.at
+43 650 9191929
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