Vienna (OTS) – The country’s best athletes were honored at the 27th Lotteries Sporthilfe Gala, which took place on Thursday, October 12, 2023, in the Wiener Stadthalle. The nominees also included numerous competitive athletes from the Federal Army who impressed with their outstanding performances in 2023. Some of them were able to take the coveted “Niki” home with them.
Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner was enthusiastic about the awards: “I am very pleased about the awards given to our army athletes. The ‘Niki’ is visible proof of the great achievements achieved by our military athletes. Even in uncertain times, it is important that we offer our athletes an appropriate stage and celebrate their sporting successes together with them,” says Klaudia Tanner.
“Sportswoman of the Year” was a competitive athlete in the armed forces: platoon leader Eva Pinkelnig, the overall World Cup winner and World Championship silver medalist in ski jumping, relegated the mountain bike world champion Corporal Mona Mitterwallner, also a sports soldier, and the defending champion Anna Gasser to second and third place.
The winner of the disabled athletes was the army athlete Thomas Frühwirth, who prevailed against Johannes Aigner, also a federal army athlete, and Markus Salcher. Frühwirth is a paratriathlon world champion, handbiker and paracycling European & world champion. Short summary of his successes: World Championship bronze was followed by European Championship gold and because pure handbike races are not enough, the Styrian crowned himself with the World Championship title in the Ironman.
The Federal Army has been supporting Austrian competitive sports for over 60 years and offers a home for 495 athletes in the ten Army Sports Centers. Social security, a financial basis, the availability of service time for further sporting development and the possibility of dual training (sport and work) represent the main features of the promotion of competitive sports by the Federal Army. There are currently 280 jobs for athletes and 20 places for sports for the disabled available.
Questions & Contact:
Federal Ministry of National Defense
Marketing and Sports Department
+43 664 622 1850
presse@bmlv.gv.at
www.bundesheer.at
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