Gustav Thöni receives prestigious award

Ski legend Gustav Thöni remains a respected figure even decades after his retirement. Proof of this? Another award he's received recently.

March 19, 2025

From: pm/sportnews

The press conference for the upcoming Rotary Prize Trentino-South Tyrol 2025 ceremony took place on Tuesday at the Hotel Laurin in Bolzano with a large turnout. The event revolved around Gustav Thöni.

This prestigious award, presented since 1996, honors individuals whose work exemplifies the values of the Rotary Club—fairness, commitment, responsibility, and humanity. This year, the award goes to Thöni.

The official award ceremony will take place next Saturday at 16 p.m. in Thöni's "living room," his Hotel Bellavista in Trafoi. There, he will be presented with the sculpture by renowned artist Adolf Vallazza. The Vinschgau ski legend will be honored for his outstanding career and exemplary values.

Thöni, now 74, remains one of Italy's most famous and successful top athletes. He was an Olympic champion and five-time world champion, winning the overall World Cup four times. He celebrated a total of 24 World Cup victories. Dominik Paris equalled this record just ten days ago in Kvitfjell.

Award ceremony in Trafoi

In addition to the honor, the awards ceremony on Saturday also focuses on a social cause: The Rotary Clubs are collecting donations for the SOS Children's Villages in Brixen and the SOS Holiday Village in Caldonazzo, whose projects are regularly monitored and documented. Guests can expect a festive atmosphere in which Rotary honors not only outstanding sporting achievements but also social commitment.

Numerous members and presidents of the various Rotary Clubs in Trentino-South Tyrol participated in the press conference in Bolzano on Tuesday. The event was moderated and featured a lively discussion with the following guests of honor: Tiziano Rosani (Rotary Award Coordinator), Alessandro Callegari (District Governor), Paolo Prinoth (President of the Rotary Club of Bressanone), and Hans Werner Wickertsheim (President of the Rotary Club of Merano).