Austria’s team for the Olympic Games is more than 95 percent complete, with a few nominations and possible reserve places remaining in the quota places available. There are currently 79 athletes in Paris and at the other venues. The Austrian Olympic Committee is represented in 19 of the 32 sports and not in 13. The OÖC will announce the squad next Tuesday, which also marks the start of the clothing fitting days.
The largest team in the battle for the 100th Olympic medal – Austria has 97 – is the swimming association with ten athletes, including medal hopefuls Anna-Maria Alexandri/Eirini-Marina Alexandri in the synchronized swimming duet. The cycling association follows with nine athletes each, including Tokyo Olympic champion Anna Kiesenhofer, and the sailing association, where Tanja Frank, who came third in Rio, already has medal experience under the sign of the five rings. The biggest medal candidate is Valentin Bontus in the new Olympic discipline Formula Kite.
In athletics, the program from July 26 to August 11 will feature not only the second most of the 329 medal decisions (48 after swimming (49), but also Austria’s team is relatively large with currently seven athletes. Other athletes can still hope to move up. Lukas Weißhaidinger is aiming for his second medal in the discus throw in Paris after winning bronze three years ago, and European javelin champion Victoria Hudson is aiming for her first at the Olympics.
A total of eight riders are competing in dressage, show jumping and eventing. A sextet is taking part in the judo competitions, including Michaela Polleres (up to 70 kg), who won Austria’s only silver medal in Tokyo. Five shooters want to end their medalless streak in these sports (the last medal they won was bronze in 2004), and a quartet with outside chances are competing in the triathlon.
A trio is taking part in rowing, including Magdalena Lobnig who came third in Japan three years ago. There are three athletes in canoe slalom: Corinna Kuhnle, Felix Oschmautz and Viktoria Wolffhardt, who has moved up to the top. Jessica Pilz and Tokyo bronze medalist Jakob Schubert are qualified in climbing (bouldering/lead), Daniel Habesohn and Sofia Polcanova in table tennis and Alexander Horst/Julian Hörl in beach volleyball. The gymnastics association is aiming for a sensation with Charlize Mörz, who is strong on the ground, and Benny Wizani is jumping on the trampoline.
Golf is represented by Josef “Sepp” Straka and Emma Spitz, Sarah Schober could still move up. The situation in tennis is also not yet completely clear. There is no way around Sebastian Ofner, Julia Grabher has received an invitation from the International Federation (ITF). Dominic Thiem could also receive one. The doubles team Alexander Erler/Lukas Miedler also still has a small hope. One participant each will represent the association in badminton, archery and taekwondo.
2024-07-03 03:02:15
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