Cologna has fun with his TV premiere: is Federer following suit?
“I can only recommend Roger to comment”
Cross-country skiing icon Dario Cologna has successfully completed his televised baptism of fire. Does it make Roger Federer want to do the job too?
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At the home World Cup in Davos: expert Dario Cologna (right) together with SRF commentator Patrick Schmid.
Marco PescioSports journalist
Dario Cologna is back in the World Cup circus. After the end of the last race in Davos, according to his latest television assessment, the four-time Olympic champion trudges into the finish area, sometimes meeting a former colleague here, sometimes shaking hands there. The Norwegian Hans Christer Holund, who has just finished second over the 20 kilometres, jokingly delivers his prize bouquet to Cologne.
The Swiss cross-country legend, who retired in the spring, is clearly enjoying being reunited with his old mates. And at this moment, even a little pressure will drop: the baptism of fire of his commentator on the SRF microphone is over. Cologna could be heard on live TV for the first time on Saturday and Sunday at the home World Cup: “Of course it was new for me, but it was fun. All the more so when Switzerland is so successful”. Why: his first assignment included Nadine Fähndrich’s big sprint victory.
At her expert premiere, she says with a laugh, “The feedback so far has been good. But maybe the bad ones don’t even get to me. Either way, I’m looking forward to the next races.”
Federer: BBC or also SRF?
Through Cologne’s involvement with SRF, the Swiss sports scene maintains its connection to one of the nation’s greatest athletic figures. Will the same happen soon with the next star? After his resignation, Roger Federer also announced that he is not against the role of television pundit: “It would give me a reason to continue watching a lot of tennis, which I like to do anyway.”
There have recently been speculations that the British broadcaster BBC would like to sign him during Wimbledon. And of course: SRF would also take it with a kiss on the hand.
Would Cologna advise the tennis master to enter the television business? “Roger has many options, he has to choose them himself,” Grisons says with a smile. She then says, “For me personally, it’s a nice way to stay connected to my passion. It would be similar with Roger. That’s why I can only recommend it to him.”
