Former ski star in conversation

Schranz: “Guys, stand together again!”

from left: Ski legend Karl Schranz and Federal Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP)

(Bild: BKA)

In February 1972, skiing legend Karl Schranz stood on the balcony of the Chancellery. Editor Sandra Ramsauer looked back with him and at the same time ventured a look into the future.

"K&K meeting" at Ballhausplatz. Chancellor Karl Nehammer's (ÖVP) first time on the historic balcony of the Federal Chancellery. Skiing legend Karl Schranz (84) enjoyed tremendous popular support here almost 50 years ago. Tens of thousands of people cheered him on in solidarity after he was excluded from the Winter Olympics in Sapporo. These days, at the chancellor's side, only a few tourists were standing below. "They waved at us too," says Schranz. And he was as happy as if there had been thousands of people.

The "Krone" interviewed Austria's sporting legend as a politically interested personality on current topics - from Babler to the future with his grandson.

"Krone":Mr. Schranz, how do you assess the political situation in Austria? Keyword: huge breakdown in the SPÖ, Andreas Babler instead of Doskozil.
Karl Schranz: There are huge mistakes. Where there are people, mistakes are made. But the fact that this happens to a once big party like the SPÖ is of course negative. Your new party leader Babler is still a blank slate. The fact that he has outed himself as a Marxist does not suit Austria. Although the communists have won in Graz and Salzburg, this will probably not have a very positive effect on the whole.

Historic scene: Karl Schranz on the balcony of the Chancellery in 1972

The fact that Babler has outed himself as a Marxist does not suit Austria. Although the communists won in Graz and Salzburg, this probably doesn't have a very positive effect on the whole thing.

Schranz

Are the Greens doing a good job when it comes to environmental protection and the like? 
For me, the Greens are part of the conglomerate of protest votes.

 Are the Greens not doing enough for the environment? 
Negative at the moment! Because they're just picking on everything. They need to find a law to ban these climate stickers. They obstruct a lot of things, ambulances and a lot of people. The economy and everything.

So in your view, this is the wrong form of protest to protect the planet? 
Yes, they can protest. Climb a tree for all I care. But not block roads. That's damaging the environment.

Now to the topic of Chancellor Karl Nehammer.  
He's doing a good job. I told him he's one of the chancellors with the most difficult job. Because what's happening at the moment is madness: corona, war, inflation. He has to muddle through everywhere. But pleasing everyone is something that no one can do.

Karl Schranz (left) and Vladimir Putin in 2009

(Bild: GEPA )

Speaking of war: you have had a friendly relationship with Russian President Putin for a long time. You condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine "in the strongest terms". How is your contact with Putin today? 
There is none. Back then, my family and I were threatened. That was negative. We had to take down the picture of Putin and me in our hotel. But you don't know what and how he thinks. Only one thing is desirable: to stop, to end the war.

We don't know what Putin thinks and how he thinks.

Ski-Legende Karl Schranz

On another topic: climate change and global warming. Will it still be possible to ski here in five years' time? 
(laughs out loud) Of course, of course. This year we had the coldest spring for 30 years. There have been much warmer times when there were no glaciers and no more snow down here. I say: the world keeps on turning.

What can everyone do personally to prevent this from changing? 
Everyone should live normally. We've lived in abundance so far, that's the problem. We have to limit ourselves, the whole world has to slow down. Not driving every meter by car and flying around the world.

You are still considered a national hero in Austria. 
I'm not a hero (laughs).

Karl Schranz is received in Vienna after his return from the Olympic Games in Sapporo on February 8, 1972.

(Bild: ÖNB)

In an interview, you said yes to that and said: "Maybe. But I didn't want that. I wanted to win the Olympics. " 
Yes, of course. But today I no longer want to win the Olympics either. I don't mourn that time.

I'm not a hero. I don't want to win the Olympics today either. I don't mourn that time.

Schranz

What is your lifelong dream? 
That the world gets better. Nobody trusts anyone anymore, that's sad. People, stand by each other again! In my private life, I wish for one more thing: to be able to see my one-year-old grandchild for a long time to come. She can't even stand properly yet, but when she can, we'll go skiing...

Do you actually regret anything in your life? 
Well, not really. I'm really totally satisfied with life as it has turned out.