A permanent Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Switzerland could take place in 2030, 2034 or 2038. Swiss Olympics has now launched a feasibility study.
Ruth Wipfley Steineker, Vice President of Swiss Olympics, leads the steering committee that coordinates the work of the central committee of Swiss Olympic staff. Besides Ruth Wipfli Steinegger, Sergei Aschwanden (Swiss Olympic Governing Body), Urs Lehmann (President of Swiss-Ski), Michael Rindlisbacher (President of the Swiss Ice Hockey Federation) and Daniel Mägerle (Swiss Sliding) are part of this group.
The Swiss Olympic and Winter Sports Federations have already identified a number of important conditions for the Olympic and Paralympic Games to become a reality: In Switzerland, no city (“host city”) or region can count exclusively online. Instead, Switzerland will lend its name to host the 203x Winter Olympics and Paralympics and host the Games. This makes Switzerland the first “host country” in Olympic history.
Without public funding
The purpose of the clarifications carried out with various institutions and interest groups such as the Federal Office of Sports Fospo, cantonal and municipal authorities and experts from various fields is to decide whether to organize the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Sustainable, profitable and often without public funding in Switzerland. On the other hand, the study should also show whether this vision is supported by regions, municipalities and people. Work is also underway for Minister of Sports, Federal Councilor Viola Amherd.
After the feasibility study and its report are completed, the first step will be the Swiss Olympic governing body and the second step the sports parliament, which will decide whether to continue with this vision of the Olympic Games in October 2023. Winter Paralympics in Switzerland.
A “World Winter Sports Hub”
Considering the winter sports world championships to be held in Switzerland this decade (notably bobsleigh/skeleton in 2023, biathlon in 2025, snowboarding/freestyle skiing in 2025, men’s ice hockey in 2026, alpine skiing), the country has been called the “World Winter Sports Center”. Very naturally described. As a hub for winter sports, it has both modern sports infrastructure and organizational know-how, and can achieve the required standards without much investment. For 13 of the 14 Olympic Winter Games, Switzerland will have modern and appropriate infrastructure by the end of the decade. Speed skating is not the only viable competition platform. For this issue, discussions are underway with other countries that could be involved as partners. The concept also does not envisage the construction of a large Olympic village – rather, it foresees Olympic centers using existing accommodation possibilities. “Under these conditions, grandeur is excluded,” explains Ruth Wipfley Steineger. Henceforth, according to the IOC, the Games should be tailored to the organizing country, not the other way around. These measures, along with others aimed at reducing costs, help ensure that the Winter Games are organized in the most sustainable way possible, environmentally, economically and socially.
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