He began representing Austria in cross country running competitions .
After winning a silver medal in the junior race at the 1997 European Cross Country Championships , he stepped up to the senior ranks for the 1998 edition and was fourth , just a second behind Driss El Himer .
He began representing Austria in cross country running competitions and after winning a silver medal in the junior race at the 1997 European Cross Country Championships , he stepped up to the senior ranks for the 1998 edition and was fourth , just a second behind Driss El Himer .