Alex Schwazer: “I did it for my children”

It was Friday evening, 20.29:14 p.m. sharp, when Alex Schwazer said with a heavy heart: "I can't go on." In the Stadio Comunale in Arco, behind which the famous castle ruins stretched pompously into the rainy sky and created a magical sight, the exceptional walker had completed 20 of 1.000 kilometers. The intermediate times were sometimes tough, the chants from the stands filled with around XNUMX fans were deafening. But in the end, none of that helped.

In his very last race at a high competitive level, an inflammation of the sciatic nerve meant that Schwazer was struggling with severe pain after just a few kilometers and finally had to give up after two thirds of the race. “I would have competed under any circumstances.” Alex Schwazer "I knew before the race that it didn't make sense in terms of results, after all I hadn't been able to train in the past few weeks. But I would have competed in the race under any circumstances. My children have never seen what their dad has done his whole life. I really wanted to change that," said Schwazer.

Tears flow The children, that's a good keyword. When the 39-year-old Kalcher could hardly stand after his knockout and somehow struggled towards the exit, he was greeted not only by a sea of TV cameras and journalists from all over Italy, but also by his wife Kathrin and their two children Ida (7) and Noah (4). By then, the tears were flowing in streams.

Alex Schwazer had to abandon the race. © Thomas Debelyak

"The family is the most important part of my life. They have given me so much support and strength," said Schwazer afterwards. The 2008 Olympic champion was referring to the eight-year, highly controversial doping ban that ended at the beginning of July. “I’ve long since moved on from the past eight years.” Alex Schwazer For years, the walker had fought for his innocence, which was even confirmed by a court in Bolzano. But for the World Anti-Doping Agency and the International Association of Athletics Federations, Schwazer's guilt and thus his ban remained. This also shattered his big dream of taking part in the Olympic Games again.

Does he still feel anger? "No, I've long since come to terms with this matter," says Schwazer. The man from Kalch has long been in the midst of his new life. "I've been working as a personal trainer for some time," says the proud family man. He's also had a lot to do in other areas in recent years. A Netflix series was made about his case, Schwazer also wrote a book and was part of the famous TV show Big Brother.

Once an athlete, always an athlete Now he's finished with his life as an athlete - or is he? Alex Schwazer wouldn't be Alex Schwazer if he didn't leave the door open just a tiny crack. "I've always been an athlete and I always will be an athlete. If I want to take part in a village race when I'm 50, I'll do it. I never officially started as an athlete and I never officially stopped. However, I don't think I'll compete at the top level anymore." So surprises are not out of the question. Just as they were throughout Alex Schwazer's turbulent career.

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Alex Schwazer: “I did it for my children”

Alex Schwazer said goodbye to the big sporting stage on Friday with a highly emotional competition. After the 20-kilometer race, the 39-year-old Kalcher gave insights into his emotional world and his new life.

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