Liechtenstein Olympic Committee employs six competitive athletes
As of 1st July 2023, six new competitive athletes from five different sports will be employed at 50% by the Liechtenstein Olympic Committee.
To be paid for training and competitions is the dream of every competitive athlete. What has been possible in other countries for a long time, the Liechtenstein Olympic Committee (LOC) can now also fulfil for local athletes thanks to the new performance agreement with the country. The first to benefit from this support are Kathinka von Deichmann (tennis), Robin Frommelt (cross-country skiing), Nico Gauer and Marco Pfiffner (alpine skiing), Romano Püntener (mountain biking) and Fabienne Wohlwend (automobile sports).
Social security coverage and greater financial security
For athletes in Liechtenstein with an international track record or extraordinary potential for a professional sports career, a framework has been created with employment that allows for minimal social and financial security. Prerequisites for obtaining employment include a strong commitment to competitive sports, a professional environment and the support of the federation.
«We are very pleased with the number of applications and the variety of sports. It shows that there is a great need. We have been able to create something that athletes have been waiting for,» says LOC President Stefan Marxer.
Many applications and the agony of choice
A total of 19 applications were received and the selection committee, consisting of a federation representative, an athlete representative, the head of the Liechtenstein sports office, the LOC performance sports officer and the LOC secretary general, took sufficient time to review all the dossiers and interview a selection of candidates. As with all recruitment processes, some difficult discussions had to be held in order to reach a decision. The focus was on sporting criteria, with the comparison between the different sports posing a challenge. At the same time, the potential of the young talents had to be weighed against the track record of the more experienced athletes.
Focus on sports
With the new opportunity, it is not the salary per se that is attractive, but rather the covered social insurance and the fact that one can focus on sports. From the government’s point of view, Sports Minister Dominique Hasler adds: «The support of individual athletes, which has been practiced in many other countries for some time, can now be realized thanks to the additional funds in the performance agreement. Last fall, the state parliament voted unanimously in favour of increasing the funds – now they can be used effectively. I look forward to the coming successes of all our athletes.»
