1976: Innsbruck Olympic Games

“Yes, best time! 1:45.73 for our Franzi Klammer!” The memory of the men’s downhill competition on the Patscherkofel on Feburary 5, 1976 is inseparably linked to this exultant cheer from radio commentator Edi Finger Sr. The XII Olympic Winter Games in Innsbruck (February 4-15, 1976) constitute in many respects a fundamental element of Kreisky-era nation building. The men’s downhill – this “supreme discipline” from an Austrian perspective – was won by an exceptional sports hero who managed to withstand the enormous weight of expectation. Ski jumpers Karl Schnabl and Anton Innauer, who brought the “Jumper miracle” to a climax with their double victory on the Bergisel against their opponents from the GDR, were perceived by the public as having also defeated a rival political system in the process. The motto of the “simple games” (Minister of Education, Fred Sinowatz) was also meant to simultaneously portray the “Austrian essence”. The disappointing medal output of the ÖOC (Austrian Olympic Committee) in comparison to the 1964 Innsbruck Winter Olympics – two versus four gold medals, a total of six versus 12 medals – contrasted with Austria’s successful self-portrayal as the host of a major international event, with 1123 athletes and 37 competitions.