An ÖLV quintet is there in Götzis. “A competition in this environment is of course crazy and perfect. The points are so essential, the first in the state championships and perhaps the second with the corresponding number of points will have very good cards for the Olympic Games,” said ÖLV sports director Gregor Högler to the APA. “Everyone needs this now. The state championships are often difficult in terms of scheduling, but now there are five who will battle it out.”
Verena Mayr, Sarah Lagger, Ivona Dadic, Isabel Posch and Chiara-Belinda Schuler have all already won medals on the large or smaller stage, but Sophie Kreiner, who is suffering from back problems, had to decline for the “Ländle”.
Mayr in the role of favorite
The favorite is ÖLV record holder Mayr (6,591), who came fifth at the World Indoor Pentathlon Championships in Glasgow this year and is well positioned in the rankings for major events. “Of course, this early in the season I don’t know exactly where I stand, especially in the javelin throw and over 200 m,” said the Upper Austrian, whose greatest career success is bronze at the 2019 World Championships in Doha.
APA/EXPA/Reinhard Eisenbauer Verena Mayr hopes for good performances in all seven disciplines
Dadic speaks of good physical preparation, now it’s time to “get all seven disciplines on the ground, deliver a good performance and collect a lot of points.” It is their first appearance at the Mösle Stadium since 2017. “It is always something special to compete at home, and in front of the home crowd it pushes me even harder.” The personal best of the European Championship third place from 2016 in Amsterdam is 6,552 points.
Vetter leads the women’s field
Lagger (6.225) is having trouble with his lumbar spine, but it is possible to compete. “Now I seem to have it under control, and the last two weeks of training have been good and intensive again.” When the American Anna Hall won last year, Isabel Posch (6.107) was the 15th best Austrian, followed by Schuler ( 5,916) as 19th.
The women’s field is led by Olympic silver medalist Anouk Vetter, the Dutchwoman has a best score of 6,867 points, followed by Erica Bougard (USA/6,725).
Seven-time winner and Tokyo Olympic champion Damian Warner from the USA (best 9,018) and Lindon Victor from Grenada (8,756) are taking part in the decathlon. There is no Austrian at the start. It is the 49th edition.
