NIKI-Awards are presented in the Wiener Stadthalle

In twelve categories, personalities will be awarded the NIKI-Awards, named after legend Nikolaus Lauda, for their sporting achievements at the Lotteries-Sporthilfe-Gala on Wednesday (live at 8:15 PM ORF 1). The recipients of the Special Award have already been determined: Gerhard Berger, Helmut Marko, and Toto Wolff. Kitesurf Olympic champion Valentin Bontus will announce his successor as the 2024 winner. The theme of the evening: "We celebrate the magic of sports".

Austria's Athletes of the Year to be Honored

For Sportswoman of the Year 2025, Janine Flock (skeleton), Sofia Polcanova (table tennis), and Stephanie Venier (alpine skiing) are contenders for the trophy, which will be presented by former ski racer Marlies Raich. After a magic show by Fab Fox, Bontus will announce whether Raphael Haaser (alpine skiing), Sepp Straka (golf), or Daniel Tschofenig (ski jumping) received the most votes in the Sportsman of the Year category, conducted by the sports journalists' association Sports Media Austria (SMA).

1,500 Guests in the Stadthalle

Thomas Morgenstern will either award the men's ice hockey national team (World Championship quarterfinals), the men's ski jumping team (victory in the Nations Cup with a new points record), or the synchronized swimmers Anna-Maria and Eirini-Marina Alexandri (each World and European Championship gold in the technical routine). Manuela Zinsberger will present the NIKI to the sportswoman with a disability, while her football colleague Michael Gregoritsch will present it to the sportsman with a disability. For the Special Olympics categories, snowboarder Arvid Auner will be on stage at the largest charity event in domestic sports.

In front of the 1,500 guests at the Vienna Stadthalle, Berger, Marko, and Wolff will receive their Special Award. "Niki Lauda was not only one of the most significant athletes of his time but also a straightforward and unyielding personality. Above all, he was my friend, with whom I shared a close and special friendship," Wolff was quoted in a statement. He will also immortalize his hand and footprints on the "Street of Champions" on the Red Carpet.

Audience Chose Rising Star

The Rising Star category was an audience choice, with votes cast for Tschofenig, Enzo Diessl, the U23 European champion over 110 m hurdles, and tennis hopeful Lilli Tagger, who won the title in the junior class at the French Open. As "Coach Personality of the Year," either Oliver Glasner (football), Andreas Widhölzl (ski jumping), or Tie Santana Bento Crespo (volleyball) will go home with a NIKI. The search was also on for the sportswoman or sportsman with heart and the Emotional Sports Moment of the Year. The Youth Sports Award, endowed with 10,000 euros, will be awarded for the 21st time.

(APA/Red)

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