Matthias Mayer Escorted Kitzbuhel Hotel In Handcuffs,

In a shocking turn of events, Austrian Olympic gold medal skier Matthias Mayer, 33, was escorted from a hotel in Kitzbühel in handcuffs yesterday evening after causing a scene at a reception for the upcoming Hahnenkamm race. The dramatic episode has sent shockwaves through the Alpine skiing world and cast a shadow over the prestigious event.

Reports indicate that Mayer, a three-time Olympic champion, became disruptive during a function hosted by Lower Austrian officials at the Hotel Kitzhof. Allegedly, he started heckling guests from a table, refusing to comply with requests to calm down. Despite attempts by organizers to defuse the situation, Mayer reportedly continued his inappropriate behavior.

With tensions escalating, hotel security was called in, and the situation further deteriorated. According to Austrian newspaper Kronen Zeitung, Mayer resisted attempts to escort him from the premises, leading to his being restrained and, according to police reports, briefly placed in handcuffs. He was subsequently released into police custody but has not been formally charged.

Ski Austria stated: “We had to note today with regret that Matthias Mayer has not yet overcome his health problems, with which he has been struggling for a long time. As a Ski Austria family, we have always given him support together with all athletes, colleagues, and partners. We wish Matthias all the best and hope that he can return to his passion, skiing, as soon as possible. After consultation with his family, we ask for respect and understanding that we cannot provide any further information.”"We are still gathering information regarding the details of the incident," stated ÖSV president Peter Schröcksnadel. "We take such matters very seriously and will deal with them in accordance with our internal regulations."

Mayer's lawyer, Wolfgang Auer, declined to comment on the specifics of the incident but insisted that his client did not resist police. "There was a misunderstanding that escalated unnecessarily," Auer stated. "We fully cooperate with the authorities and will provide evidence to clarify the situation."

Reactions to the news have been varied, with some expressing sympathy for Mayer, who has battled mental health issues in the past, while others condemn his behavior. Many fans are shocked and disappointed by the actions of the decorated athlete, questioning his future in the sport.

The incident, occurring at the forefront of a major racing event, has tarnished the image of Alpine skiing and raises concerns about Mayer's future career. Whether he faces legal repercussions or disciplinary action within the Austrian Ski Federation remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Matthias Mayer's fall from grace casts a long shadow over the 2024 Hahnenkamm and his once-celebrated skiing career.