Felix Auböck grew up in Bad Vöslau (Baden district), he is currently studying and training near London. His greatest success so far is first place at the 2021 Short Course World Championships in Abu Dhabi, where Auböck became world champion in the 400 meter freestyle – more on that in Swimmer Auböck wins World Cup gold medal (noe.ORF.at; 16.12.2021).
Most recently, Auböck won bronze at the 200 meter swimming championships in Rome in August – more on that in Felix Auböck wins bronze medal at EM (noe.ORF.at; 08/15/2022). “I had enough talent that I managed to get where I am today with hard work,” says the 25-year-old in an interview with Robert Friess.
noe.ORF.at: Felix Auböck, it was relatively difficult to get an interview with you. You travel a lot and now the center of your life is London.
Felix Auböck: Unfortunately, I don’t come home that often. I have lived in Loughborough since 2020. That’s regarding an hour north of London. And when I’m at home, I naturally try to keep as many appointments as possible. That’s why I’m glad it finally worked out.
noe.ORF.at: You grew up in Bad Vöslau. How did the passion for swimming come regarding?
Auböck: I started swimming lessons relatively early, at the age of four. Then it was actually the case that I enjoyed swimming so much that I never stopped. We spent a lot of time at the outdoor pool every summer. As a result, my love for water grew.
noe.ORF.at: But then you went to Germany at the age of 16. Were the training conditions better there?
Auböck: It was better because I was able to reconcile it better with school. I graduated from high school there, was in a class with 20 other swimmers. That has the advantage that we lived together, went to school together and went to training together.
We were at the same level of performance back then, they were the best swimmers that actually existed in Europe on my routes in my age group. And then I had this idea: If I compete with the best early enough, then of course I want to be one of them. We then pushed each other together in training so that we got better.
noe.ORF.at: You were asked at the time whether you wanted to start for Germany.
Aubock: Yes, that was a discussion. It was a difficult decision in this respect, with the aspect that you have of course seen how quickly success can happen when you are surrounded by the right people. But at heart it was never an option because I’m proud to be Austrian and proud to represent my country in major competitions.
noe.ORF.at: You said in an interview: “I was never a super talent, years of hard work brought me up.”
Auböck: We now have this phenomenon that a 17-year-old swam a world record and became world champion. If I compare myself to that, I was miles away from that. At the age of 17 I just managed to qualify for a European Championship and was in a junior final. I wasn’t at that level like other people are at that age. But I had enough talent that with hard work I managed to get where I am today.
noe.ORF.at: In 2016 you competed in three competitions at the Olympic Games and following that there were a lot of offers from American universities. You have chosen Michigan. How so?
Auböck: Michigan has a great tradition in long-distance swimming. Michigan is a place where a long-distance swimmer has been successful at every Olympic Games since the 1970’s. That gave me confidence to go there too because they know how to train people like that. And the second aspect was just academic. Michigan is one of the top universities in the world. If you then have the opportunity to go to such a place, then of course you like to take advantage of it.
noe.ORF.at: Did you also complete your studies there?
Auböck: I did my bachelor’s degree in history and political science there.
noe.ORF.at: Nevertheless, you then moved from the USA to London together with your friend Catie, an American. Why this move back to Europe?
Auböck: On the one hand, it was situational. I finished my studies in 2020. That was at the same time that the pandemic was restricting travel virtually around the world
has imposed. That’s why there was no possibility for me to stay in the USA.
I had no opportunity to travel back following my visa expired and I tried to find the best opportunity outside of the US where I might train – in combination with further studies. I found that near London.
noe.ORF.at: The bronze medal at the European Championships was your last major success. What’s your next big goal?
Auböck: The big goal is the Olympic Games in Paris in 2024. On the way there we still have a number of world championships and European championships. And of course I want to be at the forefront of all these competitions. That’s just my goal, that of course I want to be on the podium and be in the final. And of course it’s very important that I’m very consistent and achieve these successes. Then that’s a very important sign to do well in Paris.
noe.ORF.at: You travel a lot. How much time is left for the family in Bad Vöslau?
Auböck: Unfortunately, it’s not very much. I’m probably at home two to three weeks a year. Always following the big competitions, because then there is a break anyway. And at Christmas time.
noe.ORF.at: There were high expectations for medals at the last Olympic Games. You finished fourth. Does it hurt if you don’t make it onto the podium?
Auböck: Many people expected a medal from me. I swam my best time. You go home from the Olympics feeling like you suffered a big loss just because you came so close. But it takes a few months and then you realize it was the best result you’ve had in your career. The disappointment was there, but also a great motivation because I saw how close I was and that it was possible.
