A warm Welcome!
After repeated postponements due to corona, the time has come in 2023: the 49th Eurovision Sports Winter Games are taking place again – this time in the great ski area of Saalfelden Leogang/Salzburg.
Communicating and reporting on sport is one of the essential pillars of ORF and an indispensable part of our programs on television, radio and online. The Live Sport – traditionally a lot of winter sports in Austria – is one of our greatest assets.
The world envies us for the quality of our ski broadcasts – and the audience is regularly enthusiastic.
As an active athlete I am also aware of the importance of winter sports for the Austrian population and of how well developed our faci¬lities are. The area of Saalfelden / Leogang in particular, offers the best conditions for a rewarding stay, be it from a point of view of sports, culture or culinary aspects.
We will spare no effort to make sure our visitors are comfortable and can have an unforgettable time here with their colleagues from other broadcasting stations. We want them to have a pleasant and enjoyable stay here in Austria and are doing our best to achieve this for everyone. Eurovision Sport always offers a great opportunity for cross-country partnership, it promotes mutual understanding and strengthens the European spirit.
Speaking of preparations, I would like to wholeheartedly thank all those who have contributed enormously to making these winter games happen: the organization committee, the sports representatives, the members of the EBU (European Broadcasting Union) and of course a very special thank you goes to all the participants.
I would especially like to thank those responsible in Saalfelden Leogang, who have welcomed us with an open mind, have always been most helpful and accommodating, and who have spared no efforts in ensuring everything will run smoothly.
I hope you will be able to enjoy the results of our combined efforts. We are looking forward to welcoming you as our guest!
Roland Weißmann
Director General of the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation - ORF