A total of 47 army athletes will be competing for Austria at the Olympic Games in Beijing. This means that the Austrian Armed Forces will provide almost half of all athletes competing for medals under the red-white-red flag in Beijing.
The Federal President of the Republic of Austria, Alexander Van der Bellen, traditionally bids farewell to the athletes in the Hofburg. Yesterday, the Olympic oath was administered in the ceremonial hall under the strictest coronavirus conditions. Of the 106 qualified athletes, two from each federation attended the ceremony on behalf of all of them.
Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner also bid farewell to the athletes: “45 percent of this year’s Olympic squad for the Winter Games comes from the ranks of the Austrian Armed Forces. This makes me incredibly proud and shows once again that support in the Armed Forces Performance Centers is essential for the Austrian sports landscape. I send my best wishes to Beijing and keep my fingers crossed for our 19 female and 28 male soldiers!” The Army Sports Center has been promoting Austrian competitive sport with its ten Army Sports Centers since 1962. More than 450 people are currently part of the Army Sports support program. Traditionally, army sport has provided numerous participants in major sporting events such as the Olympic Games, European and World Championships. They have achieved numerous successes and medals for Austria.
