Athletes of the year 2026: LASK, Janine Flock and Felix Gall leave

Felix Gall and Janine Flock were named Austria's Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year at the Sporthilfe Gala in Vienna. The awards, part of the NIKI Awards, were presented by the Sports Journalists Association Sports Media Austria (SMA) during the event. Gall, a professional cyclist who finished second in the Giro d'Italia and third in the Vuelta, received the honor for his achievements in cycling. Flock, a skeleton athlete who won gold at the Olympics, was recognized for her success in winter sports. The LASK football club was awarded the Team of the Year, while coach Dietmar Kühbauer received the Coach of the Year award. The gala took place in the Vienna City Hall, with over 1,500 guests attending. The winners were chosen by 296 members of the SMA, who cast their votes based on performances throughout the year. Gall secured 1,321 points and was placed first on 156 ballots. He edged out snowboarder Alessandro Hämmerle, who had won two Olympic gold medals, and Johannes Lamparter, a three-time Olympic medalist and world cup champion, who came in second and third respectively. Flock, who won gold in the skeleton event at the Olympics, received 1,389 points and was placed first on 159 ballots. She beat skier Julia Scheib and mountain biker Valentina Höll, both of whom had recently won world championships. Flock expressed her gratitude for the recognition, noting that it was not just a personal achievement but also a tribute to the niche sport she represents. The LASK football team, which won the double this season, emerged victorious in the team category with 98 first-place votes and 969 points. They defeated the Olympic gold medal-winning pairs in ski jumping and alpine skiing. The ski jump duo, Stephan Embacher and Jan Hörl, and the alpine skiing pair, Ariane Rädler and Katharina Huber, each scored 549 points. However, the ski jumpers had more first-place votes, securing them the second position. Other notable awards included the Special Award for lifetime achievement, given to football legend Herbert Prohaska. The emotional moment of the year was awarded to Sasa Kalajdzic for scoring the late goal against Algeria in the World Cup match that sent Austria into the knockout stages. The Rising Star of the Year was awarded to ski jumper Stephan Embacher, who received the majority of the votes. Veronika and Johannes Aigner, both Paralympic athletes, were recognized for their contributions to para-sports. Veronika Aigner, a four-time Paralympic champion, received her fourth title, while Johannes Aigner, a three-time Paralympic champion, claimed his second title after announcing a break from competition. The special award for athletes with disabilities went to swimmer Bianca Maier and skier Silvio Gorsche. The gala also honored other notable figures in Austrian sports, including former football player Herbert Prohaska, who was celebrated for his lifelong dedication to the sport. The event highlighted the diverse range of achievements in Austrian sports, from winter sports and football to para-sports and individual accomplishments. The awards ceremony served as a celebration of excellence and dedication in the sporting community.