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The day after the sensational retirement announced by the three-time Olympic champion, the "Kleine Zeitung" reached out to the mayor of the Carinthian champion's birthplace, as well as the managers of the local ski club who are waiting for "Mothl" to celebrate him and live a new adventure with him , as done by dad Helmut.
Friday 30 December 2022 4 minutes reading time
Not even his wife knew it, not even the skiman and any teammate and coach of the Wunderteam, least of all the management of the OESV.
Matthias Mayer kept everything inside, while admitting that for a few days he had been harboring the idea of leaving his world, that of competitive skiing; up to the reconnaissance on the Stelvio, completed as if just over two hours later he had had to face it in the race, at the end of which he announced live to the ORF the decision to retire with immediate effect.
A shocking, sensational choice, incredible for many, but one that only the man behind the three-time Olympic gold medalist in three consecutive editions of the Games can truly understand by feeling what has really changed in his soul .
A few hours after the end of one of the most beautiful careers for sprinters of the new millennium, the colleagues of the "Kleine Zeitung" got in touch with some of the people who "Mothl", this is the historic nickname of the 32-year-old from Carinthia, they know really well.
Like the mayor of Afritz am See, Mayer's birthplace: "I called his mother and she was unable to add anything else, except that she would understand her son's choice - Max Linder told the Austrian newspaper - We couldn't predict that it would be happened, he didn't really tell anyone, even his fan club was in Bormio to encourage him”.
“Matthias is a man who has always kept his feet on the ground – continues the mayor of Afritz – He has always participated in the life of the town, he is a splendid person. The whole community, actually the whole area, has had a wonderful time because of his victories.
The Gerlitzen Ski Club, where Mayer grew up, welcomed the news of his retirement with a veil of sadness: “Our reality is a matter of the heart for Matthias. We were all surprised by the announcement, he trained with us last week as well,” explained Vice President Erwin Fischer. And as dad Helmut already did, the idea of the now former Austrian sprinter is to work with the youngsters from Gerlitzen. “He has always said that he would like to work with young people in the future, it is good that he stays with us and his decision must be respected,” added Dieter Moertl.
Mayer is also a huge fan of his favorite ice hockey team in Carinthia, VSV, with the club management already ready to invite him for a big night out: him, we will definitely get in touch and invite him,” said Andy Schwab, board member of VSV.
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