Two weeks before the Summer Olympics in Tokyo, the official farewell took place in the Hofburg.
The Austrian heads of state and government officially bid farewell to the ÖOC team in the Hofburg on Thursday for the Olympic Games in Tokyo. In front of the Olympic flag and the Austrian flag and after the national anthem played by the Vienna Guard Ensemble, ÖOC President Karl Stoss spoke on behalf of the delegation. The athletes were particularly pleased with the appreciative tone in the speeches.
“The wait is over,” Stoss opened his speech, referring again to the fact that the games had been postponed by a year due to the corona pandemic and that the qualification path was not an easy one for many. Around 11,100 athletes from 206 nations will compete in 339 medal decisions in 33 sports. Austria is represented in 20 sports with 75 members of the army, including 50. “We are convinced that we are excellently positioned not only in terms of quantity but also in terms of quality and that we will surpass the medal record in Rio with a bronze medal,” said Stoss.
“Signs of lived integration”
Aker Al Obaidi, a wrestler from Iraq and living in Tyrol, who had been appointed to the IOC refugee team, had also received part of the clothing from the ÖOC and was also invited to the Hofburg in linen leather trousers, was also invited to the Hofburg was. “As a sign of active integration, we said he belongs to us,” said the ÖOC President. He told everyone that he wanted the strict rules and daily corona tests to be accepted “with a certain Buddhist calm”.
Sports Minister Werner Kogler (Greens) also pointed out the difficult preparation time and the challenging framework conditions. You have to concentrate on your own competitions and accept compromises that the Olympic village will not be as cheerful and funny as usual. “But the most important thing is that the games take place and you are there.” In the context of the possibilities of a small country, this is not so easy. “We are fully aware of that. The respect is all the greater.”
In short: “Don't let the joy take away”
Federal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz (ÖVP) also noted that participating in the Olympic Games was an “unbelievable privilege and recognition for athletic performance”. “I can guarantee you that the whole country will keep their fingers crossed for you. Many people will cheer and hope that the result will be as pleasant as possible for you. Don't let the tests and everything else take away your joy and calm you bring. ”
The words of Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen were particularly dear to the hearts of the athletes. “You want to go the furthest, be the fastest, be the best, the most precise. But you have actually already proven that, since you can go to the Olympics.” He is not the super athlete, but can imagine the long road that everyone has gone through the qualification. He admires the athletes for their energy and determination. “This passion and this fire, which you then pass on, you kindle similar enthusiasm in other people.”
Sports crash course
The Olympics bring people from all continents together, and there is also togetherness in competition in sport. “Regardless of where you come from, what skin color you have, who you love or what language you speak. It's nice that the Olympic Games also stand for this unifying thought,” said Van der Bellen.
After the official part, the Federal President took a sports crash course with several active participants. The flag bearers at the opening ceremony, the sailors Tanja Frank and Thomas Zajac, as well as Jakob Schubert, who competes in Kletten, or Bettina Plank, who fights in karate, both new sports under the sign of the Five Rings, were happy to provide information. The rowers Louisa Altenhuber and Valentina Cavallar, for example, were impressed by their visit to the Hofburg. “I thought it was very nice what was said, that the unifying elements were addressed,” said Altenhuber.
