Many people choose to enjoy a quiet retirement after leaving their jobs, but athletes often take a different path. Whether it’s entrepreneurs like Li Ning and Michael Jordan, coaches like Marcelo Bielsa and Leonardo, or advisors like Zinedine Zidane who contribute to their clubs post-retirement, they all opt for busy lives after hanging up their boots. As a result, their star power has never dimmed.
On December 29, 2011, FIS (International Ski Federation) announced that former alpine skier Marco Büchel would serve as an athlete role model at the first Winter Youth Olympic Games in 2012. As early as September 21, 2011, the International Olympic Committee had announced the list of Athlete Role Models (ARMs) for Innsbruck 2012. It wasn’t until recently that FIS officially released the list.
Büchel started skiing at the age of three, which is not uncommon in the alpine nation of Liechtenstein. As a child, Büchel never imagined making a living from skiing. After trying several sports and joining nearly every sports club, he finally discovered his passion for skiing. It was after watching Hanni and Andi Wenzel (alpine skiers) compete that Büchel decided to pursue skiing professionally. At the age of 20, he competed in his first race. Like many gifted athletes, he became an instant sensation. Later, Büchel stood on the podium at the World Cup 18 times. He retired in 2009 at over 40 years old, bidding farewell in a perfect performance in his final giant slalom race.
After retiring, Büchel turned his attention to media. Even during his athletic career, he had always considered the media a friend. With his solid expertise and approachability, he eventually realized his dream of becoming a TV commentator. Büchel has always been a friend and idol to children, and he has consistently devoted himself to children’s competitions and charitable activities. Being selected as an athlete role model for the first Winter Youth Olympic Games is the highest recognition for Büchel.
Although Büchel is an athlete from the world’s smallest country, his brilliance rivals that of competitors from much larger nations. To him, the size of a country means nothing—what truly counts is the number of medals. Perhaps the rewards in smaller nations can’t compare to the salaries offered by European or American powers, but he has still turned down opportunities to change his nationality several times. “Like a horse that misses the northern wind or a bird that nests on southern branches,” it is his deep love for his homeland that has enabled him to achieve the extraordinary time and again in his life.
“An old warhorse may be stabled, yet its aspiration is to gallop a thousand li; a hero in his twilight years still cherishes lofty ideals.” The honor Büchel has received is a true reflection of his illustrious life.
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The following is the list of athlete role models:
Nordic combined athlete: Samppa Lajunen, Finland
Cross-country skier: Petra Majdič, Slovakia
Alpine skier: Marco Büchel, Liechtenstein
Freestyle skier: Shannon Bahrke Happe, USA
Snowboarder: Nicola Thost, Germany
Ski jumper: Andreas Küttel, Switzerland
Biathlete: Vincent Defrasne, France
Ice hockey player: Jennifer Botterill, Canada
Bobsledder: Ivo Rüegg, Switzerland
Skeleton athlete: Kerstin Szymkowiak, Germany
Luge athlete: Alexander Resch, Germany
Figure skater: Stéphane Lambiel, Switzerland
Speed skater: Jeremy Wotherspoon, Canada
Curler: Eve Muirhead, UK
Curler: Ulrich Kapp, Germany
IOC Athletes’ Commission member: Frank Fredericks, Namibia
IOC Athletes’ Commission member: Claudia Bokel, Germany
IOC Athletes’ Commission member: Robert Balk, USA
IOC Athletes’ Commission member: Chmaine Crooks, Canada
International Olympic Committee Athletes' Commission member: Hicham El Guerrouj, Morocco
International Olympic Committee Athletes' Commission member: Barbara Kendall, New Zealand
International Olympic Committee Athletes' Commission member: Dae Sung Moon, South Korea
International Olympic Committee Athletes' Commission member: Adam Pengilly, United Kingdom
International Olympic Committee Athletes' Commission member: Angela Ruggiero, United States
International Olympic Committee Athletes' Commission member: Yumilka Ruiz Luaces, Cuba
International Olympic Committee Athletes' Commission member: Rebecca Scott, Canada
International Olympic Committee Athletes' Commission member: Pedro Yang, Guatemala
International Olympic Committee Athletes' Commission member: Peter Tallberg, Finland
International Olympic Committee Athletes' Commission member: Sergey Bubka, Ukraine
International Olympic Committee Athletes' Commission member: Rania Elwani, Egypt