Column | A touch of Paris in the Vinatzerei

Something's wrong. It has been for years. So much for the quiet and reflective days before Christmas. On the contrary, it's a constant frenzy. Sometimes you don't even know where to look. Especially now in South Tyrol, where the whole region is one giant sports field. Except for biathlon. The biathletes are scrambling off to France. Meanwhile, the Antholz Valley can be branded discreetly and almost unnoticed. From the snow groomer to the snow shovel and the nose for the snowman, everything has to gleam in the colors and logos of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) sponsors. The fact that, once the starting gun fires, and actually even before, the general public is restricted far beyond the biathlon venue, is only now slowly dawning on many. For three months, a valley becomes an island, and only the rulers in Lausanne seem to be happy. How refreshing a simple World Cup is, even one as prestigious as the one in Val Gardena. You buy a ticket, go, enjoy life, and if things go well, you're treated to a taste of Paris. Goosebumps included. It's a similar story on the other side of the Val Badia. Step right up, step right up to the Vinatzerei! And yet, as few realize, winning a World Cup, in any sport, is harder than triumphing at the Olympic Games, where only a limited number of participants per country are allowed. Just one obvious example: In biathlon, to win the World Cup, you have to beat six Norwegians. At the Olympics, only four. That's two world-class athletes already missing. Qualifying for the Games is tougher and more merciless, and those who aren't nominated due to the limited number of available spots sometimes have to bury a lifelong dream. Olympic quota places But for now, it's all about fighting. Everywhere. The goal is to seize opportunities and draw attention to oneself. With results that, as February approaches, should steadily improve. However, so-called quota places must be secured for the officials who, like Julius II of Rome, will then give their thumbs up or down. After all, bureaucracy must be satisfied, even though there are coaches one should be able to trust. And these peculiar prerequisites in the numbers game (in Germany, for example, one eighth-place finish or two top-15 finishes in the World Cup) always arise under different circumstances. And then, fulfilling such a quota doesn't automatically guarantee participation. So, in essence, it's pointless, yet it's been cultivated and nurtured for years. For some athletes, proving their ability very early on might be reassuring. Others chase after these standards for a long time, sometimes in vain. 16th place. It's over again. Close, but the panel of decision-makers is just as merciless as the competitions themselves. Gifts on the podium But first comes Christmas, and I'm very worried about all the athletes, men and women, at the various competition venues. When will they have time to think about gifts for their loved ones? Travel: No time. First and second training sessions: No time. Races: Absolutely no time, and certainly no clue what they'll be doing this year. A few quiet minutes to stroll through Wolkenstein, Stern, or in France through Le Grand-Bornand (where I can highly recommend the fantastic Reblochon as a souvenir, a cow's milk cheese from Haute-Savoie that, admittedly, completely overpowers any baked apple aroma) are rare. At least there's the possibility of showing up in front of the Christmas tree with World Cup medals and envelopes overflowing with cash. A kind of Christmas bonus for the many freelance athletes. It's not exactly romantic, but it might help fulfill some of the secret wishes that athletes have, aside from participating in the Olympics. Later. After the holidays, when things are finally quiet and peaceful again. At least a little more so than now. I wish everyone a Merry Christmas nonetheless, or perhaps even more so now. About the author: Sigi Heinrich The multi-award-winning sports journalist (winner of, among others, the German Television Award and the Bavarian Sports Award), sports teacher, author, long-time sports editor of the Süddeutsche Zeitung, and commentator for Eurosport since 1989, dedicates his weekly column to the entire spectrum of sports and its many side issues. He will be competing in his 16th Olympic Games in February and, as a self-confessed Christmas enthusiast, certainly makes time for moments of reflection despite his many commitments (just like the athletes).

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Column | A touch of Paris in the Vinatzerei

The quiet pre-Christmas season is transformed into a hectic sporting arena in South Tyrol. Our columnist Sigi Heinrich is particularly concerned about the athletes, who will likely find little time or peace to order Christmas presents for their loved ones.

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