Team Austria Brings 70 Athletes to London 2012
MEDIA RELEASE Markus Rogan is the official flag-bearer © GEPA Team Austria brings 70 athletes to London 2012 31 women and 39 men nominated. World-class swimmer Markus Rogan is the official flag-bearer. On the final nomination list by the Austrian Olympic Commmittee (ÖOC), 30 Athletes are first-timers, and four hold medals from previous Olympics (Markus Rogan, Ludwig Paischer, Andreas Geritzer and Christian Planer). Shooting athlete Thomas Farnik is competing at his 6th Olympic games. “On average we have three Austrian medals, but this year our team is smaller, so to win three medals would be a very good result”, says Karl Stoss, ÖOC president. pre-Olympic countdown: 14 and 15 July fitting and presentation of the official team outfits at Hotel Marriot in Vienna (Stadtpark). 15 July evening starting at 6 PM official Farewell Celebration at ‘Studio 44’, (broadcast live on Austrian television (ORF1) from 6:35 PM) 16 July at 11 PM Federal President Heinz Fischer welcomes the Team Austria at Hofburg Palace for the traditional oath and farewell ceremony. Facts and figures of the nominated ÖOC athletes : - 70 athletes (31 female, 39 male) and 60 trainers/advisers. (Beijing 2008: 70 athletes (30 ladies/40 men); Athens 2004: 74 (54/20); Sydney 2000: 94 (56/38; plus the ladies’ handball team). Except for Montreal 1976, Team Austria has never been smaller. - youngest athletes: swimmers: Lisa Zaiser (17) and Christian Scherübl (18). - most senior athletes: dressage (riding) athlete Renate Voglsang (41) and Thomas Farnik (45) (London 2012 is his 6th Olympics running). Other experienced retainers are Helmut Oblinger and Werner Schlager (both 5th Olympics); Liu Jia, Andreas Geritzer, Markus Rogan and Günther Weidlinger (all 4th); Günther Weidlinger is also competing in the marathon for the first time, after 3.000 m steeplechase, 5.000 m and 10.000 m at earlier Games; - previous medal winners: swimmer Markus Rogan (2x silver/2004), judoka Ludwig Paischer (silver/2008), sailor Andreas Geritzer (silver/2004) and shooting athlete Christian Planer (bronze/2004).
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