Matz, Schubert, Graf, Lobnig, Weißhaidinger / vl in Tokyo clothing
Austria's athletes at the Olympic (July 23rd to August 8th) and Paralympic Summer Games (August 24th to September 5th) in Tokyo will appear in their clothing with a color focus on white-red-black. The collection provided by seven manufacturers comprises a total of 58 pieces at a total of 3,900 euros per active person. The long-standing outfitter Erima provides 36 parts, clearly more than half of the ÖOC equipment in Japan.
While goat suede lederhosen attracted a lot of attention at the opening in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 and when the Austrian team marched into the Maracana Stadium, this time the athletes are provided with linen pants due to the climatic conditions. “They will certainly cause a sensation again,” said ÖOC Secretary General Peter Mennel on Tuesday at the presentation of the collection in Vienna. “The pants are super-light and feel good,” said sailor Barbara Matz.
Her Nacra17 partner Thomas Zajac had to cancel the presentation for a good reason, the “bronze” from Rio became the father of a girl on Monday. The 35-year-old gets ten days of family time, then it goes to the current training area of the duo in Sicily. “The wave is similar to that in Japan, you can simulate the Olympic area a bit,” explained Matz. For them it will be the Olympic premiere: “You will soon be able to count the days on your hands. I'm really nervous.”
At the clothing presentation – the athletes will be dressed in the first half of July – everyone involved emphasized the functionality and design of the elements. “The package is perfectly matched to the conditions in Tokyo in terms of color, material and cut,” explained Mennel. Erima is responsible for the training and sportswear, Salomon for the shoes, Adelsberger for the festive clothing. There are also articles by Lenz, Procter & Gamble, Peeroton and J. Athletics.
“As an athlete, I am particularly pleased that our feedback and experience from the various competitions have flowed into the development,” said Lukas Weißhaidinger. The discus thrower last completed around 700 training throws in two weeks in a camp on Tenerife. “It's extremely tough on the substance – physically and mentally.” The Upper Austrian has lost something to 142 kg, but according to his own assessment will then level off again at 146 kg.
Erimas Austria managing director Michael Klimitsch emphasized that an Olympic tailor would be assigned to Tokyo in order to be able to make any adjustments on site. Due to the postponement of the games, more than 17,000 collection items had to be temporarily stored by the army. Matthias Lanzinger, Salomons Marketing Project Manager, explained that 92 percent of running shoes are recycled and reused for the manufacture of ski boots and functional shirts.
There was positive feedback for the equipment from all athletes. Rower Magdalena Lobnig, for example, presented a casual look with a hoodie: “Since I've been wearing it, I've been getting compliments all the time. It looks very good, is very comfortable,” said the 30-year-old. Paralympics athletes also presented the collection, according to para-canoeist Markus Mendy Swoboda. Incidentally, Mendy was his registered first name, he explained. “There are many Markus in Austria, but probably only one Mendy.”
