“Financially, a South Tyrolean team would not be sustainable for South Tyrol”

Thomas Sinha, who moderated the event, has different perspectives on the tension between sport. Media and politics and new approaches to sports promotion collected. The topic was controversially discussed. The South Tyrolean Rifle Association, in collaboration with the Mals Rifle Company, invited a number of personalities to the Mals Cultural Center.

According to sports journalist Andreas Vieider, the daily newspaper Dolomiten, the Tagblatt der Südtiroler, plays a pioneering role in the South Tyrolean sports sector. The athletes from all parts of Tyrol are named in the press reports with their place of origin. The athletes' gala supported by the state of South Tyrol was an invention of the Dolomites. He expressed criticism of those who particularly like to hand the Italian flag into the hands of South Tyrolean athletes at major events. They would endure this reluctantly. In the rest of the world – with the exception of Bavaria and Austria – nobody knows the country of South Tyrol.

Michael Pichler from the Association of South Tyrolean Sports Clubs (VSS) was less diplomatic. According to him, the VSS already does not have sufficient funds available. Additional financing for top South Tyrolean athletes would cost 500 million euros. You shouldn't instrumentalize sport too much. In his family environment, Mr. Pichler notes that many are proud Italians and would sing the Italian national anthem with complete pride. For organizational reasons, South Tyrol cannot set up an Olympic Committee because South Tyrol is not a sovereign state and therefore cannot take part in international competitions.

Jürgen Wirth Anderlan commented clearly on this: “South Tyrolean athletes can certainly take part in international competitions, world and European championships, the Faroe Islands have shown the way, they have fought for sports autonomy.” He is of the opinion that financing for a South Tyrolean team is easily possible. According to data from the FISI Winter Sports Association South Tyrol, this would cost the state of South Tyrol around 15 million euros. If you consider that state employees cost the country 1,8 billion, there would be an opportunity to transfer our athletes from state service to state service. “South Tyrol would not only have costs here, but also an enormous advertising effect if our athletes carried the South Tyrol brand out into the world. Sport creates identity, sport creates a feeling of unity and sport creates home,” said a convinced Wirth Anderlan.

The lively discussion continued with Hans Heiss from the South Tyrolean Greens. He has little interest in a South Tyrolean national team. According to him, this step – similar to dual citizenship – would divide South Tyrol. This also has a negative impact on the coexistence of the language groups in South Tyrol.

For Benjamin Pircher from Glorenza, participant in the Karate World Championships, personal success is what counts most for an athlete. Nationality is secondary. Nevertheless, it was a great honor for him to compete for Germany. Because he feels German because of his native language and his name.

According to Martha Stocker, State Councilor for Sport, South Tyrolean athletes are already starting for South Tyrol. Because all German television stations always talk about South Tyroleans. The state of South Tyrol also contributes by supporting the athletes' gala, the sports yearbook and the Europeada. Italy is well organized in sport. A South Tyrolean team would not be financially viable for South Tyrol. However, Stocker is trying to bring the primary responsibilities to South Tyrol. South Tyrol currently only has secondary responsibilities in sport.

For Sven Knoll, the member of the South Tyrolean Freedom State Parliament, an independent South Tyrolean team has often been approached in the South Tyrolean state parliament. However, it was repeatedly scuttled by the majority. Once again it shows how in love with Italy the SVP is, which, due to the peaceful coexistence with the Italians, does not dare to take the step into sporting independence. At least it should promote cooperation in the field of sport with Tyrol. “Where is the much-praised European region of Tyrol?” he asked the question.

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“Financially, a South Tyrolean team would not be sustainable for South Tyrol”

In the panel discussion “South Tyroleans for South Tyroleans?!”, the South Tyrolean Rifle Association wanted to once again get to the bottom of the question of whether or not South Tyrolean athletes should compete in sporting events under their own flag.

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