"Outed" via video

Austrian skiing legend backs Nehammer

Karl Schranz is considered a living legend, at the latest after his exclusion from the 1972 Olympic Games and the subsequent reception on the balcony of the Federal Chancellery.(Bild: APA/Fritz Kern/Önb Bildarchiv/Orf Ar)

Austrian skiing legend Karl Schranz supports Federal Chancellor and ÖVP top candidate Karl Nehammer in the National Council election campaign. The corresponding video statement is available to the "Krone".

In the 40-second advertising clip, the three-time Alpine skiing world champion and double overall World Cup winner from St. Anton am Arlberg says of Nehammer: "You're the right man, that's why I'm supporting you!" The ÖVP leader has stood for stability in recent years. "You give us strength," the Tyrolean even enthuses.

Schranz had already spoken positively about Karl Nehammer in the past. "He does a good job. (...) But pleasing everyone is something that no one can do," Schranz said in an interview with Krone in June 2023. He had also previously repeatedly been on personal committees for the ÖVP (Fischler for the EU, presidential election campaign).

Karl Schranz is considered a living legend, at the latest after his exclusion from the 1972 Olympic Games and the subsequent reception on the balcony of the Federal Chancellery.(Bild: APA/Fritz Kern/Önb Bildarchiv/Orf Ar)

The now 85-year-old also had a friendship with Russian President Vladimir Putin - although this ended with the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Schranz now only has contact with a former Russian sports minister.

With the "Schranz outing", the ÖVP is also launching a campaign called "Wir.Die Mitte.", in which other people will declare their support for the chancellor. "Because they speak out against the radical fringes and are committed to stability in Austria," says the People's Party.