“The foxes in Rome ripped us off”

An era comes to an end on Saturday. After 27 years at the head of the National Italian Olympic Committee CONI in South Tyrol, Heinz Gutweniger is stepping down and will no longer run in the new elections after 7 terms in office. The 77-year-old, known throughout Italy as the “Handball Pope,” is retiring and looks back on his long term in office in the following interview.

27 years at the top is a short eternity. There's probably a bit of sadness there too?

Heinz Gutweniger: “Of course there is a laughing eye and a watery eye. But when you look back and have the impression that it was positive, it's easier to digest. It is useless for an old man like me to carry on when there are young people who have the qualities to take over the office. I'm sure it will continue like this or even get better. In the last candidacy, there was a candidate who was not prepared. Now comes someone who is prepared. That’s why I’m leaving the office in good hands.”

Do you still remember your first official act in 1994? “I received an invitation from the then state governor Luis Durnwalder in January 1994 to introduce myself. He promised me the House of Sports. We made a bet and I told him he wouldn't be able to start the House of Sports. I lost the bet.”

Exactly, because on February 27, 1997, the House of Sports on Verdiplatz in Bolzano was occupied.

“Durnwalder was also there at the 20th anniversary celebration, just like he was at the handover of the keys in 1997. We started with the idea that it would be a home for the associations. Not just an office where they can send emails or write letters, but that the associations have a place where all meetings can be held. Until it went into operation, every association had to go to a school or an inn to hold its meetings, not to mention the training courses or trainer courses. During this long period, over 1000 meetings were held. I have all the receipts. 23 associations now work – some more, some less – in one place. There is no better facility.”

Heinz Gutweniger and Governor Luis Durnwalder. © Reinhold Eheim

What are you most proud of?

“I'm not proud in the sense of proud at all. I took over the position from Hans Pfeifer, who realized that it wasn't his thing. At that time, CONI had little presence in the country. There was no contact person. We had little connection to Rome when Mario Pescante was CONI president. The foxes in Rome ripped us off. I have to say: We have made the Italian Olympic Committee in South Tyrol so that it has meaning in the country. Not just in South Tyrol, also in Italy. When I am or was at the meetings of the 20 regions in Rome, South Tyrol is always mentioned as a good example. This is not idle chatter. President Giovanni Malagò really appreciates us. This is a result that all of us on our board have achieved. I sometimes had to hold my head. I also did that. But the success is there. “

As CONI state head, you often had to do “politics” as a link between South Tyrolean sport and the State Council for Sport. Has this always been easy for you as an “athlete”?

“I used to be an active athlete. I did gymnastics and track and field. I was a javelin thrower, a skier, won the Italian military championships. I don't want to adorn myself with other people's feathers. I probably tried out and got a taste of 25 sports. But over time I became involved in the organization. Today people say that this is relevant to sports policy. It was a development from the chick to the old hen. I can remember that even back then, as a young athlete, I was on the board of SSV Bozen, was head of the handball section, then handball state president, and VSS handball speaker for 30 years. I held many sports policy positions before I was president of the CONI regional association for 27 years. It has gotten nicer almost every year because we as CONI have gained more and more power and have been able to have completely different conversations at the state level than before.”

What was the relationship with the CONI headquarters in Rome? South Tyrol also has a special position in sport...

“In terms of sports policy, South Tyrol is equivalent to a region as a province. South Tyrol always cut a good figure at the gatherings and meetings. Not because of me, but because we achieved results and delivered serious work. We had incredible support from the state government under Durnwalder. This continued with Arno Kompatscher. We are also a flagship when it comes to infrastructure. With one exception – and that is Bolzano.”

Did you collect the million euros that South Tyrolean sport is entitled to in Rome?

“That is explained very simply. There is an agreement between CONI and the government that a certain percentage of the profits from the football pool must be earmarked for sports infrastructure. I was just the mediator between Rome and South Tyrol. I was part of the commission that decided what to do with the money. At the suggestion of the Office for Sports in consultation with the State Sports Council, a list was drawn up and brought to Rome. This money, then as now, a million euros a year, is invested in infrastructure. The contract expired in 2018. But at the last meeting in February with Malagò in Bolzano, the president guaranteed that the money would be paid back from 2018 to 2020. He even assured that we would get more money if we needed more. He is 99 percent confirmed as CONI president. The money goes into the country’s sports budget and is then distributed.”

What have you not achieved during your time in office or what would you do differently? “I have to come back to another bet with former Governor Durnwalder. We wanted to build a state sports center, like in many other countries. There have been repeated experiments, meetings and projects for 16 years. Only in the last four years has State Sports Councilor Martha Stocker also included the University of Innsbruck. But we are still treading water. Kompatscher also made an effort and had a study drawn up. But it is difficult." “The greatest damage in the corona pandemic does not affect the world champion, who did not win, but the many thousands of young people who have not played any sport for a year.” Heinz Gutweniger Where should the state sports center be built? “I can well imagine where, but I won't say that because otherwise all hell will break loose again. Out of the competition from 22 municipalities, Kaltern/Altenburg was the last one left standing. But everything failed for political and economic reasons.”

Which experience do you particularly remember?

“Aside from the many successes of our exceptional athletes at major events, what I remember most is that we kept up with our youth's CONI projects at national level and were among the best everywhere. This also means that the work of our trainers and supervisors was great. I don’t even want to go into the successes of our world-class athletes.”

What advice would you give to your designated successor, Alex Tabarelli?

“He is facing difficult times because no one knows what will happen next with Covid-19, when the pandemic will end and what the new beginning will look like. I am convinced that the greatest damage will not affect the world champion who did not win, but the many thousands of young people who have not played sport for a year. And this will continue for months. The children are frustrated. In order to catch up, my successor, whom I fully support, will have to develop good programs. It's not about the money, it's about the organization, the acceptance of politics and the school. With the support of the board and the state government, he will succeed.”

What else is close to your heart?

“A new wind must come to the city of Bolzano. When it comes to infrastructure, the state capital is the last wheel on the wagon. Every village, no matter how small, is better off. We have the options, but it depends on the municipality of Bolzano, which is unable to get it under control. The Gries district no longer has a tennis court for recreational players, we do not have a sports field, only 2 swimming pools that are managed by the schools. That's a scandal." “Bozen is the last wheel in the car when it comes to sports infrastructure.” Heinz Gutweniger What is Heinz Gutweniger doing in retirement?

“Looking back, I'm happy, but I have projects in mind and many still need me. I will remain loyal to the sport and will also support the new CONI board with advice and support. I will indulge in my hobbies. But I'm not saying that I will now have more time for my wife, my family and the grandchildren. I have already dedicated my free time to you. But I would like to take the opportunity to thank all board members after this long time. It is absolutely impossible to do the work alone. I also have to thank Luis Durnwalder and now Arno Kompatscher and the many great clubs that are there for the youth. And I would also like to thank the sports organizations such as VSS and USSA and, last but not least, the media for the good cooperation.”

Questions: Stefan Peer

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“The foxes in Rome ripped us off”

The end of an era: Heinz Gutweniger is no longer running as president of the CONI regional association after 27 years and is remembering

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