The President of the Austrian Weightlifting Federation received in 2109, May 28th2019 the prestigious award of the Republic of Austria in the banquet hall of the Palais Dietrichstein in Vienna. The ceremony was initiated by Ensemble Wild with the Camellia polka by Johann Strauss. The cabinet director delivered the eulogy before presenting the honorary sign.

Gerhard Peya started his athletic career as a 14-year-old 1968. He was 1972 Austrian Youth Champion. In 1977 bronze at the state championships. In 1984 he finished his active career.

-The occasion of the honor, however, is his activity as a functionary. Mr. Gerhard Peya was already from 1977 as a referee, 1980 int. referee II and 1984 IWF referee I, as coach and board member in the region Lower Austrian Weightlifting Association.

The Congress of the European Weightlifting Federation elected the Austrian from 1995 to 1999 in the Technical Commission. 

From 1992 to date – 27 years – he is a member of the executiveboard of the Austrian Weightlifting Federation. The first mandate as president he exercised from 1998 to 2001. His second mandate was elected President from 2013 to 2016 and currently from 2016 to 2020. 

In this function, Mr. Gerhard Peya represents the trade association externally and is chairman of the board and the federal executive committee.

Numerous publications, statistics, analyzes, the publication of the book "Weightlifting in Austria – Balance of athletic pursuit", further includes the work as an editor of the official federation newspaper to the activities of the thoroughbred functionary.

Source: News and Photo provided by Austrian WF

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