Mario Jurt is athlete of the year

The middle-distance runner Mario Jurt was voted Spiez Athlete of the Year by the public, replacing the ocean rowers Lorenz and Alexander Gammeter from last year. Maro Jurt (TV Spiez) shines in numerous races in the U18 and U20 categories. For example, he wins the Langenthaler Stadtlauf, the Bremgartenlauf, the Gurten Classic and the Grand Prix of Bern.

The sports commission nominated Shaienne Zehnder (alpine skiing), Lars Lobsiger (Nordic combined) and Mario Jurt (running) for the Spiez athlete of the year because of their brilliant achievements. Mario Jurt received 46 percent of the audience votes and left his fellow favorites Shaienne Zehnder (32 percent) and Lars Lobsiger (22 percent) behind. Mario Jurt happily accepted the award from local councilor Anna Zeilstra and said that for him the Gurten Classic was one of the most beautiful runs.

37 athletes from 22 sports were honored by the community for their achievements. Club pearls were also honored for the first time. Members of six clubs were thanked for their work in the background. They are the ones who lay the foundation for top sporting performances.

Local councilor Anna Zeilstra with the satisfied Mario Jurt.

The script was excitingly staged. As usual, Matthias Fuchser eloquently led through the evening, interviewed athletes and gave the audience, which was in larger numbers than ever before, an insight into the ups and downs of an athlete’s life. The panel discussion “From talent to top sport” included Fränzi Mägert-Kohli (former top athlete), Martin Rubin (handball legend) and Fabian Recher (young athlete).

They agreed that a “dual career”, i.e. playing top-class sport while also pursuing a part-time job or training, was a good system and provided the necessary variety. “You should develop as a person and not just as an athlete,” said Fränzi Mägert-Kohli.