The state athletics association celebrates its athletes - Lanthaler ends his career

On the occasion of the athletes' celebration, the South Tyrolean regional association not only presented the 2012 competition calendar, but also reviewed 2011 at the same time. World Championships, European Indoor Championships, European Team Championships, European Cup, international competitions - and South Tyrolean track and field athletes were in action everywhere in 2011. There are also 23 medals at the Italian Championships. The Masters athletes even push this number past the 100 mark. 2011 was a successful year for South Tyrolean athletics, although not the most successful.

"I know we've been spoiled even more in the past, but it's not Sunday every year," said Fidal boss Armin Bonamico on the occasion of the athletes' celebration in the Kolpinghaus in Bolzano. "But we were still above average successful compared to our population. In addition, almost all of our top athletes had to struggle with injuries. But perhaps 2011 was just the calm before the storm this year."

In any case, figurehead Alex Schwazer has already had a stormy start to 2012. The Olympic champion achieved the world's best time in the 20 and 50 km walk within a week and was the first South Tyrolean to qualify for the Olympic Games. Silvia Weissteiner, Hannes Kirchler, Christian Obrist and Lukas Rifesser also dream of the games in London. The European Championships will also take place this year.

But it's over for one of the top athletes. Lukas Lanthaler led the Italian team into the Super League with a 2011th place finish at the all-round European Cup in Brixen in 13. That was also his last appearance on the international stage - as he announced today. "The decision has actually been brewing in me for a long time. I couldn't have ended my career better than in Brixen," said the 27-year-old from Vipiteno. Lanthaler took part in the European Cup five times, won five individual medals at Italian championships, was team Italian champion with SV Lana in 2010 and was eight times national champion in his youth. He now works as an actuary in Munich.

Behind the established top athletes, the youngsters have also started on the road to success: the South Tyroleans won four medals at the U16 Italian Championships in the fall. This is the best record since the 90s. A total of 20 clubs were awarded a funding check of up to 800 euros per club by the regional association for their successful youth work. The regional association has 50 clubs with around 3000 active members. There are also around 50 trainers and as many judges.

Fidal boss Armin Bonamico also presented the competition calendar as part of the athletics celebration. 74 competitions will be held in South Tyrol in 2012 under the auspices of Fidal, of which almost 30 will be on the track. There are also regional, national and international competitions on the road and in mountain running. The highlight is two Italian track championships. For only the second time ever, the Italian champions of the general class will be determined in South Tyrol. As in 2005, the setting is Brixen. There will be a fight for medals and the last Olympic tickets from July 6th to 8th.

The U18 all-around Italian champions will be determined on June 9th and 10th in St. Christina. Weissteiner, Kirchler, Obrist and Rifesser want to qualify for the European Championships from June 27th to July 1st in Helsinki. The sporting highlight of the year is the Olympic Games (athletics from August 3rd to 12th) in London. Alex Schwazer is South Tyrol's biggest hope for a medal.

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The state athletics association celebrates its athletes - Lanthaler ends his career

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