At the beginning of the evening,
Mayor Manfred Böhmwalder welcomed the volunteers as ambassadors of the meeting and thanked them for their dedication.
Alexandra Giesinger, President of the Hypomeeting Organising Committee, invited everyone to look back on the past two editions of the meeting, recalling the many records set during the anniversary edition in 2025.
The evening also revisited the highlights and innovations of 2026 and offered a first glimpse of what lies ahead in 2027.
Highlighting the importance of sponsors, media partners and political supporters, Alexandraexpressed the Organising Committee's heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributes something money simply cannot buy: their time, energy and passion.
In keeping with the evening's theme, the volunteers enjoyed a varied entertainment programme.
- The eight members of the Organising Committee introduced one another and shared their own personal “Magic Moments” from the meeting.
- Magician Jürgen Peter added a touch of magic to the evening, amazing the audience with his impressive tricks.
- After enjoying a delicious meal prepared by the team at “gächters amBach”, guests put their Hypomeeting knowledge to the test in an interactive competition involving plenty of movement. By the end, 16 lucky winners had received some fantastic prizes.
- The celebration also included the traditional recognition of long-serving volunteers. Those who have dedicated 20, 30, 40 or even 45 years of their free time to the Hypomeeting Götzis were honoured for their outstanding commitment. Together, these volunteers represent an incredible 545 years of voluntary service!
A particularly special moment was the presentation of the first-ever honorary membership of the Verein zur Förderung der Leichtathletik, the association behind the Hypomeeting, to co-founder and still active volunteer Armin Hug.In his tribute, Walter Weber honoured Armin as a pioneer who, together with Konrad Lerch, Elmar Oberhauser and the late Honorary President Werner Stöhle, turned an idea into something extraordinary: the Hypomeeting Götzis.
As the creator of the “Schnellster Montforter” competition (now known as the Montfort Track Challenge), Armin Hug also played a pioneering role in developing youth competitions. He is widely regarded as a walking encyclopaedia of Hypomeeting history and its athletes.
In a video message, the two 2026 Hypomeeting champions, Annik Kälin (SUI) and Simon Ehammer (SUI), sent their greetings to everyone present and thanked Armin Hug and the volunteers for their dedication. Both highlighted the meeting's legendary status and shared how their victories in Götzis had fulfilled childhood dreams.
Before the evening came to a close with music from DJ Alex Roncat, the official visual for the 2027 Hypomeeting, featuring the two champions, was unveiled.
The entire evening was a celebration of the people who have made the Hypomeeting what it is today: the world's most renowned combined events meeting in athletics, recognised and appreciated throughout the international sporting community far beyond Austria's borders.
Once again, many volunteers will be needed in 2027. Everyone is warmly invited to register on the Hypomeeting Götzis website and become part of the team. A wide range of exciting and rewarding tasks – and plenty of “Magic Moments” – await before, during and after the meeting weekend.
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE FOR BEING PART OF IT!
