04. November 2017

Legend of Sport Award 2017

For the first time in the history of the Legend of Sport Award, the focus in 2017 was on somebody who revolutionised a sport through a philosophy of renunciation and yet mastered extreme sporting challenges like no other. When you think of mountaineering, you think of Reinhold Messner. He was the first person ever to conquer fourteen eight-thousand-metre mountains without oxygen and he has climbed more than 3,500 peaks, and crossed deserts and worlds of snow and ice on foot. Even today he fascinates and inspires people with his authenticity. With clear words and impressive charisma, he took the audience on a journey to the “arena of solitude” on the world’s highest mountains. “What I am particularly happy about is not the sporting aspect; this award has been given to me because I have eliminated heroism from mountaineering. I consider that an honour because it has been one of my primary concerns for 60 years,” said Messner.