A few days ago, Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner, together with the commander of the Army Sports Center, Colonel Christian Krammer, bid farewell to five deserving competitive army athletes from active service in the Szokoll courtyard of the Rossau barracks. The soldiers from the Army Sports Center in attendance were representative of all those whose contracts as competitive athletes have expired.
Among the army athletes were swimming ace Platoon Leader David Brandl, record-breaking marksman Platoon Leader Gernot Rumpler and military world champion in orienteering, Platoon Leader Gernot Ymsén. The two-time Olympic participant and Olympic bronze medal winner Platoon Leader Thomas Zajac, who won the only medal for Austria at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro with his then sailing partner, Platoon Leader Tanja Frank, was also bid farewell. Zajac will now leave the Austrian Armed Forces after 15 years of service.
Defense Minister Tanner thanked the top athletes for their many years of service as ambassadors for military sport and presented them with small mementos. In total, the retired army athletes won over 30 medals at major sporting events such as European and World Championships and the Olympic Games. “They have represented us faithfully for years and have kept the flag of our country and the Austrian Armed Forces flying high. You are outstanding ambassadors for our country, in a language that is understood everywhere – sport. Thank you for the great commitment and achievements you have made for the Armed Forces and for which you have always proudly worn the uniform and the Armed Forces logo. Thank you for your constant commitment and thank you for the wonderful moments of excitement and joy. I would like to wish you all the best for the rest of your lives,” said Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner in recognition of your achievements. https://militaeraktuell.at/wir-sind-eine-einzigartige-dienststelle/ The Army Sports Center has been promoting top-class Austrian sport with its ten Army Sports Centers since 1962. Every year, over 450 competitive athletes are part of this support program of the Austrian Armed Forces. The army’s competitive sports traditionally provide the majority of red-white-red participants at the Olympic Games as well as at European and World Championships. Another special feature is the promotion of athletes with special needs, which has been in place since 2016.
