Petra Kronberger Leaves OSV
With Optimal Sports, Petra Kronberger has headed an important department within the Austrian Ski Association in recent years. At the end of the year, the former ski racer will leave the ÖSV at her own request.
The double Olympic champion from 1992 returned to the ÖSV as part of the 2013 Ski World Championships in Schladming, where she was responsible for the cultural program, among other things. After a short break, she took on the role of women's representative (for women's alpine skiing) in 2014 and was thus considered a pioneer in this field of activity. The Salzburg native was one of the first prevention and protection officers trained through the "100% Sport" association and completed her training as a qualified life and social counselor (psychology) in 2021. Since 2020, together with Prof. Martina Leibovici-Mühlberger, she has played a key role in implementing the new Optimal Sports concept and was officially entrusted with the management in autumn 2021.
As part of the current structural changes within the ÖSV, it was decided to integrate Optimal Sports into the medical department. "I note this decision with respect. Optimal Sports has been independent and stand-alone within the organization since its presentation in February 2020. For me, this has always been an important value. In my opinion, this is no longer the case due to the new structure and that is why I have decided to say goodbye to the ÖSV after eleven years," explained Petra Kronberger .
A decision that ÖSV sports director Mario Stecher regrets, but which must be respected: " Optimal Sports is still intended to be independent - but in the course of the structural changes it was important to us to bundle all resources dealing with the topic of holistic health in the Medicine Department."
"What Petra has achieved and helped to build in this area over the last few years is great and it is a shame that this collaboration ends shortly before the home World Championships in Saalbach. said Mario Stecher, ÖSV Sports Director
Stecher further explained : “It is important for the Austrian Ski Association that the valuable work in this area is continued successfully and that we remain a pioneer for responsible framework conditions in sport.”
Optimal Sports is based on a humanistic idea. It puts people at the centre and believes in the principle that a holistic view and careful development of a person can best promote their inherent potential for the highest possible level of performance.
The three pillars of Optimal Sports, personality development, health development and resource awareness (social sustainability), have been further filled and expanded in recent years. Ski Austria received a special award in June 2024 by receiving the "Best Practice in Good Governance" certificate from the Federal Ministry (BMKÖS), in which Optimal Sports played an important role.
"Since my return to the ÖSV, my focus has always been on the well-being of the athletes. When I look back on the eleven years, I see many exciting, educational and emotional moments," says Kronberger. "I would like to thank all my colleagues, the management body of the ÖSV, as well as the President and the Presidents' Conference for the trust they have placed in me and the opportunities that have been offered to Optimal Sports and me. I wish everyone all the best for the future."
