Tragic skydiving mishap claims life of daring adrenaline seeker Baumgartner during paragliding
Felix Baumgartner, the Austrian skydiver and daredevil who gained global fame for his daring stunts and controversial political views, passed away in a tragic paragliding accident in the Italian town of Porto Sant'Elpidio on Thursday.
Baumgartner, born in Salzburg, Austria, was best known for his base-jumping stunts, which included jumping from the Petronas Towers and the statue of Christ the Redeemer. In 2012, he made headlines worldwide for his space jump from a helium balloon, which was the highest manned balloon flight and the highest freefall at the time.
However, Baumgartner was not just a thrill-seeker. His political views, often controversial and different from the mainstream, frequently made headlines as well.
One of his most notable political actions was his recommendation of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2016[1][2]. Baumgartner also endorsed Norbert Hofer, the presidential candidate of the right-wing populist Freedom Party of Austria, in the same year[4][5].
Baumgartner was vocal about his criticism of migration policies in Germany and Austria, aligning himself with right-wing populist views[1][4]. He once suggested that a "moderate dictatorship" might be more effective than a democracy, arguing that it could potentially address economic issues more efficiently. However, he later backtracked on these comments, stating he did not want to engage in political discussions[3][4].
The controversy surrounding his political views led to significant backlash, with Baumgartner deleting his Facebook page after receiving criticism for his comments on refugees[4]. This decision was reportedly due to becoming uncomfortable with being a target for political elites.
Just hours before his death, Baumgartner posted an image on Instagram captioned: "Too much wind." He expressed his passion for adventure with the words: "I belong to the air, I was born for these emotions."
The Austrian foreign ministry and Red Bull, Baumgartner's sponsor, also confirmed his death. The exact cause of the accident is still under investigation.
Baumgartner's tattoos, including one that read "born to fly," were a testament to his love for adventure. He regularly posted videos of his paragliding flights on social media, sharing his thrilling experiences with his followers.
Felix Baumgartner will be remembered not only for his daring stunts but also for his unique blend of adventure and controversy. His death has left a void in the world of extreme sports and politics alike.
[1] https://www.reuters.com/article/us-austria-nobel-peace-idUSKBN12G1BH [2] https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/oct/28/felix-baumgartner-calls-for-viktor-orban-to-win-nobel-peace-prize [3] https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/felix-baumgartner-calls-for-moderate-dictatorship-in-austria-a6834561.html [4] https://www.thelocal.at/20150916/felix-baumgartner-deletes-facebook-page-after-refugee-comments-backlash [5] https://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/felix-baumgartner-stuertzt-kandidaten-von-fpo-auf-austrian-presidential-race-a-1045702.html
Sports journalists may report that Felix Baumgartner, the late Austrian skydiver, was renowned for his base-jumping stunts, including his space jump in 2012, but his political views, such as endorsing Norbert Hofer and recommending Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán for the Nobel Peace Prize, were also a significant part of the news. In the realm of media, coverage of political migratory issues was a subject Baumgartner often touched upon, aligning himself with right-wing populist views, which often led to controversy and debate.
