55 Austrians Compete for Medals at World Games in Chengdu

Over the weekend, the first members of the Austrian team, sent by Sport Austria, arrived. The World Games in the 20-million city of Chengdu is under the motto "Growth Beyond Excellence". About 5,000 athletes are competing in 34 sports and 60 disciplines, making the World Games numerically larger than the Winter Olympics.

World Games in Chengdu as "Showcase for the Diversity of World Sports"

The Austrian delegation at the World Games, led by Aria Siami, consists of 33 women and 22 men. Among them, three years before the sport's Olympic debut, is the women's flag football national team. Despite being drawn into a difficult group with the USA, Canada, and China, they have medal potential, as do the two fistball national teams. Additionally, Austria is represented in the following sports: archery, disc golf, drone racing, jiu-jitsu, kickboxing, orienteering, parkour, speed skating, squash, and wakeboarding. All federal states are represented except Vorarlberg. With 21 athletes, Upper Austria accounts for almost 40 percent of the contingent.

Sport Austria President Hans Niessl described the World Games as a "unique showcase for the diversity of world sports". According to Sport Austria Managing Director Gerd Bischofter, the organizational preparations for Austria's participation have been underway for over a year in close cooperation with the involved specialist associations. The Austrian flag at the opening of the World Games will be carried by fistball player Antonia Woltsch and orienteer Jannis Bonek.

The 20-year-old wakeboarder Mariella Flemme places the World Games above everything else, the European Championship third and World Championship fourth is therefore facing the highlight of her career so far. Flag football player Katrin Mansbart has found another perspective for herself and her teammates: "For us, it is an important step on the way to the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Of course, the top 3 is again the goal." Archer Nico Wiener is looking forward to the atmosphere: "In China, everything is done on a grand scale, it will surely be a huge spectacle."

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.