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Many cardboard guests at the Sporthilfe Gala 2020
© WHAT
Contrary to the current cancellation trend, the traditional Sporthilfe-Gala lotteries were held in 2020. Tennis star Dominic Thiem and off-roader Ivona Dadic secured first top wins in the two main categories. But this time the “gala” at the Marx Halle in Vienna was more than a festive tribute to the most successful athletes of the year in Austria. The treatment of the crown, resilience and solidarity were the main accompaniment themes.
The gala, which can be seen on the ORF’s main evening program, was recorded this time in the afternoon and without an audience. The nominated athletes and their chaperones, who were also screened with rapid antigen tests, sat at the guest tables alongside cardboard cutouts of all the previous dancing stars and applauded the honorees and show acts from there. Even soccer star David Alaba insisted on watching the entire ORF footage through a video connection.
The after-show party, in which even Austria’s best athletes “let it break” at least once a year, was of course canceled this time. “Since the gala is always when I play in Vienna or Paris or have to go to London, I would have left early anyway and always would have missed the party anyway,” Thiem said calmly. “I hope to experience the gala in a normal year. Ideally in 2021”, the Austrian tennis star strongly wishes to get back to normal as soon as possible.
The 2020 gala finally became a celebration of sport for sport. Not only were the nominees aware that this afternoon was also a statement of confidence in difficult times of a virus pandemic. “Until we get back to normal, we can only try to persevere,” Thiem said, emphasizing: “Professional athletes always have the privilege of being able to practice our profession. Playing big tournaments is important these days for other reasons. “Because they also give good times to people who are going through a difficult time. I send a lot of strength to all those who are struggling at the moment and who hope that everything will return to normal soon ”.
Thiem replaced the resigned Marcel Hirscher as the winner. “I’m very happy to be in line with the all-time greats. They are superstars that I was a fan of as a kid. Being there myself and having the price is huge and very important.” said the 27-year-old world number three, who flew to London the day after the ATP finals gala.
And the Corona theme is there again. “Last year was incredible. A tournament with the best atmosphere apart from the Grand Slams,” recalled the finalist from the previous year. “That is why it saddens me that there are no people playing in a 17,000 meter stadium,” said Lichtenwörther, whose foot is painless again. “I’m completely ready and hopefully I can use my experience a bit,” the now “Masters” contestant said five times.
Dadic had been hit hard by Corona, least of all because the SUV had been caught by the virus in September. Their record for heptathlon hours, as well as the previous best annual record, proved that Upper Austria would have been in top form at the Tokyo Olympics.
“Now I can only train harder and use this extra year to be even better a year from now. And then hopefully I can take home a medal,” Dadic decided. “Finishing the year as Athlete of the Year is a great extra motivation for next season and it makes me very proud.”
The athlete is also aware of her role model, especially in difficult times. “You shouldn’t drop your head, even if you have to cut back a bit right now. At some point things will go up again,” Dadic is convinced. She herself had practically no course of disease. “I’m lucky I didn’t have major consequences.”
In the end, everyone was glad that the Sporthilfe gala took place in 2020 despite difficult framework conditions and that the Austrian athletes of the year were not voted for the first time since 1949. “Tears welled up in my eyes I went on stage, “said visually impaired winner Veronika Aigner. “It is very important to give people the hope of a normal life,” said Hans Peter Trost, president of Sports Media Austria. make the choice traditionally. “Not all elite athletes are millionaires. You have to make sure they stay in the conversation.”
As in culture, the production of such a program is linked to the goal of allowing people to participate on the television screen. Being able to mentally detach yourself from a troubled present is also important to the ORF TV sports director. “Athletes are also role models when it comes to fighting back,” Trost told Thomas Muster or Hermann Maier or the many para-sports athletes.
It is obvious that a television program costs money. “For a public broadcaster like ORF, however, it is absolutely clear why they charge us and that we can manage such production together with Sporthilfe and the sponsors,” said Trost. The first look should be directed to whether something can be compatible. “I’m sure it will pay off in the years to come.”
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