Shock in OSV: sports director dies completely unexpectedly

The 56-year-old Viennese has dedicated his entire life to swimming. At the beginning as an active athlete, from the age of 24 as a trainer in Eisenstadt, at ASV Vienna and in the Südstadt performance center. Since 2018, Walter Bär has been a highly successful sports director for the Austrian Swimming Association and has achieved some of the OSV’s greatest successes – including Felix Auböckthe Alexandri sisters or Anton Knoll and Dariush Lotfi – shared responsibility. The sport of swimming mourns the loss of a very ambitious, committed swimming fanatic who had to die far too early.

OSV-Präsident Arno Pajek: “Walter lived the sport 150%, we are shocked. Our feelings are with the family. It’s a shame that such people always leave this world too early.” OSV Vice President Jann Siefken: “Walter was the heart of the entire association and a really close friend. This loss is humanly and sportingly unbearable.” The former OSV General Secretary and current one also find very touching words OSV finance officer Thomas Unger: “Walter was the driving force of Austrian swimming. He was not just a sports director, he was a comforter, a motivator and a visionary! In addition to his family, the OSV was his life’s work! With Walter, we are not only losing our sports director, but a true friend. We are closely connected to his family!”