Giant impetus for a sports comeback

Three weeks before the opening of the Sport Austria Finals powered by Intersport & Graz Holding in Graz (June 2 to 6, 2021), Sport Austria President Hans Niessl and Managing Director Gerd Bischofter presented not only the status of preparations but also Intersport in the House of Sports and Sport Pass Austria also two strong partners for the premiere of the multisport event in the Styrian capital.

After the cancellation of darts and rugby at the beginning of the week, 24 associations are looking forward to the kick-off for Austria's largest championship party. 3.500 athletes will determine their national champions in around 250 competitions at 18 sports facilities.

The preparations for the Sport Austria Finals powered by Intersport & Holding Graz are in full swing, the organizational teams in Styria and Vienna are working on the final details in order to make the program on the five days as safe as possible.

“Sport Austria has been working for months on concepts that should enable the sport to start up. Our handling of the virus has always been a responsible one, we have provided enough concepts with the involvement of science. We will now also exercise this caution when re-unlocking. The Sport Austria Finals are the prelude to the big sport comeback, a comeback of the emotions that sport absolutely needs and that will be plentiful in Graz, which is transforming itself into the sporting capital over four days. The finals are a huge impetus for top-class and therefore also for popular sport, ”says Sport Austria President Hans Niessl, for whom health and safety are top priorities despite all the enthusiasm and anticipation for the finals.

“The simple rule for everyone who wants to be there is: vaccinated, tested or recovered! As in all other areas of public life, which is slowly starting up again. That is a very positive development. Like the last announcement by Education Minister Heinz Faßmann, who with the school tests now also wants to enable afternoon activities for children and young people in their sports clubs with test confirmations. This is another step in the right direction. We are very happy that Sport Austria has found an important point of contact in the Minister of Education, ”said Niessl.

QR-CODE AS ENTRY TICKET

The safety concept for the Sport Austria Finals was developed together with scientists from the various areas, including environmental medicine specialist Hans-Peter Hutter. "Safety has top priority at the finals, we have a COVID-19 officer for the event, all 24 participating associations also have their own officer and the 18 sports facilities also have security concepts. One thing is clear: everyone has to come to the sports facilities with negative results - regardless of whether they are athletes, trainers or supervisors, ”says Sport Austria managing director Gerd Bischofter.

And the fans, because the wide opening steps from May 19, 2021 will make it possible to open the sports facilities in and around Graz to spectators. "We are not only pleased as the organizer, but above all for the athletes who can finally practice their sport again in front of an audience," said Bischofter.

The coveted tickets for the finals in Graz will be available from May 20, 2021 on the website www.sportaustriafinals.at. After registering and selecting the type of sport and sports facility, you will receive a QR code that serves as an entrance ticket. Registering all fans ensures the highest level of security.

INTERSPORT READY TO RE-START

Presenting partner Intersport sees itself as having a social responsibility with regard to the status and importance of sport in Austria.

“Of course, our core business is selling sporting goods. But: We want to convey the sporting experience to our customers, we want to show what a unique source of energy our beautiful nature and movement are and we want to inspire Austria to do more sport. No matter when, where and with whom. It is important to have a commitment to exercise - and this is exactly what we are the right partner for, ”explains Johannes Kastenhuber, Marketing Manager at Intersport Austria.

Thanks to the Intersport structure with 104 regional retailers, Austria's largest sporting goods retailer knows exactly the needs of the local people. “We can react immediately, which is what makes us so special as a retailer, especially in times like these,” says the company, placing great hopes in the future and the post-pandemic phase.

“The first major sporting event after almost 15 months is a milestone - not only for all athletes, but also for us as sporting goods retailers. We all currently need sport and exercise more than ever, the excitement of competitions. We love the adrenaline and the enthusiasm of the young athletes. It is so much more like movement, it is the key to get through these challenging times and also the key for the future. "

SPORT PASS AUSTRIA PROVIDES LIVE EXPERIENCE

The Sport Austria Finals get a digital stage through the cooperation with Sport Pass Austria. Around 150 hours will be broadcast live on www.sportpassaustria.at over the five days from the opening ceremony to the final decision.

“Together with ORF, RS Digital, LAOLA1 and Streamster, around 50 competitions are produced live and broadcast with ten or more parallel streams. In addition, we will have daily highlights as individual clips and in magazine form as well as a studio program with guests from the world of sport - and all of this for free, ”says Sport Pass Austria co-founder Bernhard Hafenscher.

The objective is clear: "We are raising the state championships to a new level, the finals are the perfect prelude to the start of Sport Pass in Austria and want to offer the associations and clubs a digital home and, above all, an overall package."

HUDSON AND SEEHOFER ON RECORD HUNT

Javelin thrower Victoria Hudson is looking forward to the Sport Austria Finals - and would like to present herself in top form in Graz as well. "I would like to throw over 60 meters again at the finals, maybe a new record will come about," said the Olympic participant, who has already broken the 60-meter mark four times this year and with 64,68 meters, a new ÖLV- Has set a record.

On the way to Tokyo, the finals are more than just a determination of the position. “I am happy that I can finally feel this adrenaline in the competition again. Thanks to everyone involved for allowing us to celebrate such a sports festival, which, with so many different sports, is a little foretaste of the Olympic Games. I'm really looking forward to this togetherness, which was suddenly gone due to the pandemic - that's a great motivation for all of us. "

For Racketlon figurehead Christine Seehofer it is also about a new record: “My series of eight national championship titles in a row unfortunately broke last year because I was injured. At the finals, the goal for me is title number nine, because it is the national highlight. The anticipation for Graz is huge, because a multisport event is something very special for the Racketlon Association, we present our sport on this stage and can reach many people. And then hopefully many of them will grab the rackets themselves. "