Triathlon Dream Factory Awarded the Bavarian Sports Prize
Roth is the first ever event to be honoured with prestigious award
Roth triathlon has never before been given such an honour: the district of Roth, the town of Roth together with all communities and towns in the region and the Walchshöfer family, who have organised Challenge Roth for twenty years, are joint winners of the Bavarian Sports Prize 2022.
On Saturday 22 October 2022, the Minister of Sport, Joachim Herrmann, will present the award at the awards ceremony in BMW World in Munich. The race is recognised in the category "Outstanding Promotion of Sport" for its exemplary commitment in connection to the organisation and delivery of DATEV Challenge Roth powered by hep over many years and the accompanying services to sport in Bavaria.
"Award first and foremost for helpers and volunteers"
Race director, Felix Walchshöfer, is deeply moved by the honour: "Receiving the Bavarian Sports Award is an incredible honour. We still can't believe Roth is in the same league as sporting legends like Dirk Nowitzki, Anne Haug and countless Olympic champions. However, this prize is not for us as the organisation of the race, but for everyone who makes the race possible, first and foremost for our 7,500 helpers and volunteer workforce. It is thanks to them that we can fulfil thousands of dreams here in Roth every year. For this, a sincere and heartfelt thank you!”
As District Administrator, Herbert Eckstein will accept the award on behalf of the district of Roth on Saturday: “It honours the entire district! - Our triathlon is more than a recurring sports event. Athletes, organisers, helpers and spectators form a unit and live the triathlon weekend in a unique way. We have grown together without losing our identity. All athletes who fight their way through to the finish line are cheered on. Therefore: fascination triathlon worldwide!”
Andreas Buckreus, Mayor of Roth, is very happy about the award: "Year after year, Challenge ensures the city of Roth is known all over the world as a Mecca for triathlon. During the summer, we are hosts to numerous athletes, their families and many triathlon fans. As mayor of the city of Roth, I am immensely pleased to be able to receive the award on Saturday together with the Walchshöfer family and the district administrator.”
Event TV broadcast on Sunday
The award ceremony will be broadcast in full as a recording on Sunday 23 October 2022 from 10:05 pm on BR Television. The event, hosted by Markus Othmer, will also be available on demand in the BR Mediathek.
Bavarian sports prize in recognition of outstanding merits
The Bavarian Sports Prize has been awarded by the Bavarian State Government since 2002 for outstanding sporting achievements as well as to people and initiatives who have given outstanding services to sport. Stars such as Magdalena Neuner, Oliver Kahn, Franz Beckenbauer, Dirk Nowitzki and Maria Höfl-Riesch have all been recipients.
This year the prize will be awarded in seven different categories plus the personal prize of the Bavarian Prime Minister, including Thomas Müller, Nathalie Geisenberger and other Olympic champions. The Bavarian State Minister of the Interior, Sport and Integration, who is responsible for sport, forms the jury together with experts from various areas of sport, including Jörg Ammon, Christoph Netzel and Kasper Rorsted. Interior Minister, Joachim Herrmann, chairs the jury.