A total of 13 Armed Forces athletes will be competing for Austria at the Paralympic Games (August 24 to September 5) in Tokyo. This means that the Austrian Armed Forces will represent more than 50 percent of all athletes competing under the red-white-red flag in Tokyo.
The Austrian Paralympic team gathered at the Marriott Hotel in Vienna a few days ago. Vice-Chancellor and Sports Minister Werner Kogler, Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner and Health Minister Wolfgang Mückstein bid farewell to the professional athletes in Tokyo. The Austrian Armed Forces are sending their military athletes in the disciplines of canoeing, athletics, cycling, horse riding, tennis, swimming, table tennis and triathlon. Vice-Chancellor and Sports Minister Werner Kogler: “In a few days, the wait will be over and the Paralympic Games will begin in Tokyo a year late due to the pandemic. You can only imagine the challenges that many of you have faced over the past year. Nevertheless, I am convinced that this team of 24 athletes is well prepared. I wish the athletes the best of luck and every success!” https://militaeraktuell.at/ich-profitiere-vom-heer-das-heer-aber-auch-von-mir/ Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner used the farewell ceremony to motivate the athletes once again: “You have achieved something incredible. You have qualified for the Paralympic Games and can now compete for medals for Austria alongside athletes from all over the world. They have been preparing for a long time and are well trained. We are proud of them and will be rooting for each and every one of them. I am keeping my fingers crossed for them and look forward to welcoming them back after the Games.” The Army Sports Center has been promoting Austrian competitive sport with its ten Army Performance Sports Centers since 1962. More than 450 people are currently part of the Army Sports support program. Army sport traditionally provides numerous participants in major sporting events such as the Olympic Games, European and World Championships. Athletes with special needs have also been supported since 2016. As of 2021, disabled athletes can also be employed as soldiers in the Austrian Armed Forces. The Austrian Armed Forces are committed to the complete equality of disabled and non-disabled athletes.
