Party anecdote with Wawrinka: Federer gets Olympians excited about Paris

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The 2024 Olympic Games start this Thursday evening in Sursee LU. The Swiss Olympic invitation brings together more than 100 athletes from a wide range of sports in Lucerne.

Only three Swiss men and one Swiss woman participate in the Olympic Games. But everyone in the room hopes for a selection. And now we are collecting all kinds of information about the mega event in Paris during the two-day Swiss Olympic meeting.

Surprise guest Federer

Suddenly, in front of more than 100 amazed eyes, there is an athlete on the podium who is already an Olympic champion and has also won a few other titles. Tennis hero Roger Federer (42) appears as a surprise guest when he is called on stage by mission chief Ralph Stöckli and presenter Paddy Kälin.

And Federer is really getting the future Olympians excited about Paris. “I’m very happy that I can give you something to say,” says the greatest Swiss athlete of all time. «I recommend all young athletes to move to the Olympic Village. Exchanging ideas with other athletes is a fantastic experience.”

On this subject, Stöckli reports that the village in Paris is still in (advanced) development – and that Switzerland will receive house number 1.

Federer is emerging as a big Olympic fan. No wonder: he met and fell in love with his current wife, Mirka, during the 2000 Sydney Games. And: “It was a big moment for tennis when Marc Rosset won in 1992.” Federer was excited as an eleven-year-old at the time.

Gold wasn’t enough

In 2008, the Basel resident won gold in doubles in Beijing with Stan Wawrinka (38). In London 2012 there was silver in the individual. The tennis legend describes that there was a lot of partying in Beijing. «We celebrated it first in the House of Switzerland and then in a club. We came back at six o’clock, it was already light, unfortunately Stan had not taken his badge with him. Seve Lüthi told him before we left that the gold medal would certainly be enough for entry into the village. But then gold wasn’t enough… So my tip to you: always take your accreditation with you!”

As a tip, especially for the younger generation, Federer says: “For example, before the Olympics, try to adapt social media consumption to what it will be like during the games. And it always helped me stay relaxed when it came to the Olympics.”

He is also relaxed after the performance, as rows of athletes line up for a selfie with Federer.

Source : Blick