Following its podium-topping finish in the ‘hospitality’ Olympics at London 2012, Austria’s Tirol House emerged as a frontrunner for the ‘gold’ at Sochi, with the surprise visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to the apres-ski hub of the Winter Olympics.
President Putin popped in to help get the party started at an evening showcasing all things Tirolean during celebrations for Austrian skier Matthias Mayer’s gold medal in the Men’s Downhill on the second day of competition in Sochi.
Mayer was congratulated by representatives of Ischgl, who were the hosts of the evening, and delighted the party-loving resort’s tourist chiefs by declaring, ‘I’ve been to Ischgl many times on holiday with my friends – in fact, I’d love to go back for the Robbie Williams concert!’ (Robbie will play the Top of the Mountain Concert in Ischgl on 3 May 2014.)
Putin’s visit was the froth on the beer stein for Tirol House, which has quickly become ‘the’ favourite hangout for media, guests and athletes at the winter Olympics – just like its London counterpart at Trinity House in the summer of 2012
The President was greeted with traditional Zillertal folk music and offered local delicacies as he raised a glass of schnapps and toasted ‘to Tirol’. He offered his congratulations on the Austrian victories and said, ‘May the success continue for your country.’
