Never before has a month been so varied in this sporting year: In September, the women in particular come with the campaign "Let's Go Ladies" at the center of the action. Numerous highlights such as the Grazathlon, the “Day of Sports”, the inclusion run or the state championships in skydiving clearly show one thing: Graz is really coming to life once again as a “sports city”!

Sports director Thomas Rajakovics, City council Kurt Hohensinner, Lina Rothlauer (Deputy Chairwoman of the USC Graz), Julia Meder (Board member Active City Graz), Helmut Konrad (K1 Group), Wolfgang Malik (Holding Graz and President of the Aero Club Austria) and program coordinator Markus Pichler (from left, photo: City of Graz / Fischer).

August was extremely entertaining and exciting - with an Ironman 70.3 that made the headlines, a Special Olympics Dance Sport World Championship that put Graz in the international spotlight, or an incomparable state championship in bouldering, which after a long time has something like "sporting event -Feeling ”has brought to the city.

Anyone who believes that that was all is wrong - because everything that happens in Graz in September is really record-breaking.

It started last weekend with the Women run and the UCI Mountain Bike Eliminator World Championship in the city center and ends with one of the great highlights: the "Sports Day " on September 26th. In total, there are more than 150 entries in the sports year calendar in the current month - with more hands-on activities than ever before!

The focus this month is on women. "We are making September women's month," said City Councilor for Sports Kurt Hohensinner. Representatives of the three umbrella organizations have come up with their own campaign with the resounding title “Let's Go Ladies”: In the last few weeks, more than 200 women have sent in their photos and portraits to set an example: that even more women are stronger in the Should bring in sport. Many are already doing great work, but are often in the background. In addition to female athletes, trainers, officials and referees were also sought - and found. "With this campaign we want to bring women power to the curtain in this city and show that many women are already involved in sport - but many more should do so," explains Julia Meder (Active City Graz Association).

The twelve faces of this campaign can be seen on large posters all over the city until the end of September; during this period there will also be a separate exhibition with the pictures on Mariahilferplatz. “This exhibition gives an insight into the variety of tasks and functions that women already take on in sports in Graz. It makes no difference whether they act as chairpersons, functionaries, referees, athletes or trainers - the women of our society play an essential and increasingly important role in the complex structure of sport, ”says Hohensinner. Meder adds: “Women should be motivated to take on tasks and functions in sport. Women have just as much power as men and men must be made aware of how to open the doors to women. "

Acts as “monthly sponsor” in September Helmut Konrad (K1 Group), who has been a sponsor of the UVC Graz volleyball team for years and also sets a clear example for women's sport. “I am delighted that I can do my part to support a sport that is not as popular with the public as others. I am impressed by the youth work of the UVC, especially in Corona times, I see it as our task to motivate children and young people to actively participate in sport and to enable them to do so. "

For Lina Rothlauer, the deputy chairwoman of USC Graz, it was immediately clear to become part of "Let's Go Ladies". “My goal was and has always been to get more women into sport in general and swimming in particular. I am convinced that more exercise means more well-being. That's why this initiative is so important - it reaches the public in a way that women in sport rarely can. "

In line with the Women's Month, special events for women are also held in September. at "Play like a girl" it is a basketball offensive for girls. The project will take place during the entire last week of the holiday, specifically girls between the ages of eight and twelve who want to play basketball or learn the sport are addressed.

Separate mountain bike units for women have also been launched: girls and women interested in mountain biking should take part in the special workshops "Mountainbiking 4 Women" From September 24th to 26th, you will gain more driving safety and learn new things such as repairing your bike. The offer is aimed at women and girls aged eight and over who love exercise in nature on a mountain bike.

The two-day event is aimed at adult women "Let's Roll Graz - Newbie Day" on September 25th and 26th. Here all women can get to know the fast-paced and body-hugging sport “Roller Derby”. This is a full contact sport with roller skates originating from the USA, which is mainly practiced by women. The Dust City Rollers, the Roller Derby Team from Graz, stand for feminism and anti-discrimination. As part of a trial training session on September 25th and 26th, women (cisgender, transgender and intersexual) and non-binary people are very welcome, as are men who are interested in becoming referees or non-skating officials.

The Gymnastiksport Union Graz (GUG) offers three projects. "Let's go! Hoop, ball, tape " offers an introduction to the above-mentioned handheld devices in four units as part of "Let's go! Hip hop" a casual dance is rehearsed, "Let's go! Show dance " introduces you to different dance styles in four units, with which you can inspire on stage.

An extensive program

How diverse the month of September is can also be seen in other events. Numerous sports will be presented in the next few weeks. Julia Meder, who sits on the board of the Active City Graz association, goes into raptures: “It is really awesome which campaigns and projects will be implemented in the coming weeks. That is exactly the strength of the sports year: There are so many offers in different sports - there is certainly something for everyone to watch or to be able to participate and exercise. "

They are not for participating, for watching State championships in skydiving. Austria's best skydivers will be chosen from September 9th to 12th at Graz-Thalerhof Airport. For the first time in twelve years, the airport will again host one of the most important events in parachuting this year. Formation jumping teams of 4 and 8 face the sporting challenge as well as participants from the freefly, 2 vertical formation skydiving and speed skydiving disciplines. Jump from a height of 4.000 meters from a Cessna Caravan, the teams consist of three to nine jumpers depending on the discipline. The aim is to repeat a drawn sequence of figures as often as possible in a given time and thus to get the most points. Above www.letsgograz.at you can watch the videos of the formations and see how breathtaking this sport is. Has a special "treat" Wolfgang Malik, President of the Aero Club Austria, ready: "We will also broadcast the jumps on the information screens of Holding Graz, so the parachutists will get even more attention."

Golf also plays an important role in September: At the Andritz Golf Club, the action is tees off "Let's Go Caddy". This is related to the "Riegler & Partner Legends" at GC Murhof in October, the Seniors Tour tournament that took place for the first time two years ago at Murhof in Frohnleiten. All girls and boys under the age of 16 can take part in the “Let's Go Caddy” and win: They can play a 11-hole round three times for free in Andritz from September 25th to 9th and hand in their scorecard. The three best girls and three best boys are permanently qualified and are allowed to accompany the great golf legends as caddies at the Audi Shoot Out on October 5th at the GC Andritz (part of the legends' preliminary program). The other three winners will be drawn from among the participants. In addition, all nine winners are allowed to train for one hour with selected "legends" at Murhof - the date will be announced.

What else does the Graz Sports Year in September have to offer, among other things?

ELK Sporthilfe Super10kampf: On September 10th, 16 active and former greats of local sport (including Marlies and Benni Raich, Andreas Goldberger, Hans Knauß, Michaela Kirchgasser, Marc Janko, Bettina Plank, Mario Stecher) will compete in disciplines in which skill, Perseverance and knowledge are required. The TV highlight will be broadcast on Saturday, September 18 at prime time at 20:15 pm on ORF Eins. Tickets are under www.super10kampf.at .

Grazathlon: The toughest sightseeing tour in the world starts on Saturday, September 11th in Augarten. 20 obstacles and more than ten kilometers through the city, exciting street crossings, seemingly endless stairs, classics like Monkeyland, Wall 4 plus Panier and much more are waiting.

Ride Around Graz - Autumn Edition: Explore Graz and the surrounding area on two wheels with an autumnal backdrop - the autumn excursion for all those interested and enthusiastic about cycling starts on Sunday, September 12th at 8:00 a.m. on Karmeliterplatz.

Let's go! Grazer Murufer cleaning: The cleaning of the banks of the Mur in Graz is to take place for the first time as a plogging event on Saturday, September 18th. Plogging comes from Swedish (“plocka” means to lift up) and is a combination of collecting rubbish and jogging. The organizer is the City of Graz Environment Agency in cooperation with Holding Graz Abfallwirtschaft & Stadtraum, meeting point and destination in Augarten Bay. The runners are accompanied by a trained running trainer (warming up together, tips on how to run and bend over correctly).

Bike2Sschool: This project is about the sporty and healthy way to school from September 20th. In cooperation with the Bike Citizens, schoolchildren from the age of 10 are to be motivated to cycle to school. It is a playful competition that is integrated in the Bike Citizens app. Teachers and school staff should lead by example. Teams are formed that compete against each other.

Migration of the Soroptimists: In the course of the 100th anniversary of the Austrian Soroptimists, a dynamic organization by and for women in today's work, the Club Rubin Graz hikes on Tuesday, September 21, from Wildon to GC Murstätten and the day after from Hengsberg to Goldes. Not only women but also men are invited to come along under the motto “Ge (h) spräche”.

1st Graz Inclusion Run: After the Special Olympics Dance Sport World Championship, the sporting year will set another great example on Saturday, September 25th. Everyone can take part, the unifying effect of sport is emphasized. First there is one kilometer barrier-free through the Augarten, then the runners start the 5-kilometer sports competition.

Sports day: This takes place on Sunday, September 26th, from 10 a.m. to 19 p.m., between Freiheitsplatz, Karmeliterplatz, Stadtpark and Jahngasse to the state sports center. After the Corona break 2020 and postponement from this spring to autumn, around 100 sports will be on site and can also be tried out, the main stage is on Karmeliterplatz.

More than 200 women have signed up for the "Let's Go Ladies!" connected, some of them were present at the press conference on Mariahilferplatz. (Photo: City of Graz / Fischer)