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The Swiss dream of an Olympic Games in 2030 has shattered. But only the plan for the big winter event in just under six years – Switzerland is now living the dream of the 2038 Olympic Games. But first things first.
On Wednesday, the IOC initially rejected Switzerland and also the request from Sweden. The two countries will be sorted out by the 2030 Committee. Only France can overcome the hurdle of entering into the so-called targeted dialogue with the IOC before the awards ceremony next summer. Everything seems clear before the double price in 2030 and 2034: the French and the Americans will get the desired slots with Salt Lake City.
In Switzerland, the Olympic dream was launched, not least because 2030 was seen as a unique opportunity to hold the Games for the first time under the new IOC philosophy with sustainability and without gigantism. “Of course I was disappointed at first, but I see today as an opportunity,” Swiss ski boss Urs Lehmann told Blick. He is one of the driving forces behind the project and now also says: “It is a good day for Swiss sport.”
Because after the first devastating news, an unexpected new horizon opens up. The IOC estimates Switzerland as the preferred candidate for 2038. “We focused on 2030 or 2034. “Especially in sport it is important to be flexible,” says Swiss Olympic President Jürg Stahl.
Suddenly, Switzerland may be facing a unique sporting decade: in 2028, St. Moritz will be a candidate for the FIS Games, where all snow sports come together. Then the European Championships for 2030 are seriously under discussion. Various European summer sports championships take place under this roof as a kind of mini-Olympic Games. And then the highlight of the 2038 Winter Olympics.
You now have until the end of 2027 to register
Switzerland has been given a special status for the latter. Austrian Karl Stoss of the IOC said at the media event in Paris: “The IOC is entering into a privileged dialogue with Switzerland for 2038. Our feeling was that this solution is a good thing for both parties.”
Swiss Olympic and Co. now have until the end of 2027 to get everything on track. If they succeed, the IOC will give Switzerland the right to do so until 2038. Lehmann: “We are on the threshold of the 2038 Games. Now it is important to carry the positive momentum we have built up over the past six to seven months into the coming years.”
But to actually get through the door, the IOC expects a whole series of improvements. IOC man Stoss says clearly: “Switzerland must do its homework.” Lehmann disputes this and says: “I am very optimistic that we can achieve results in the four areas where the IOC calls for additional depth.”
The IOC questions the decentralization of the games
The IOC expects improvements in the business plan, but also more support from the population and the government. This could also be done through a referendum, “then we know where we stand,” said Stoss. The IOC’s criticism is quite fundamental when it comes to a core point of our project, the decentralized orientation with sports facilities spread across the country. The IOC calls for closer proximity to major cities and an Olympic village, “and not just to hotels spread across the country.”
The federal parliament is already enthusiastic about 2038. Sports Minister Viola Amherd had only sworn in the Swiss sports parliament until 2030 on Friday, but now she says: “I am happy that the IOC has decided to enter into the privileged dialogue for 2038. It’s later than expected, but I’m not unhappy that we’re getting more time.”
On the sidelines of a reception for the women’s football team, Amherd talks about the Olympic project – and hopes that after the Women’s European Championships in 2025 we can also hold the Winter Games in 2038: ‘Switzerland has already been approved by the IOC for this candidacy. This gives us and the IOC some certainty in our planning.”
A dream has shattered. The next one is even bigger.
Source : Blick
I’m Emma Jack, a news website author at 24 News Reporters. I have been in the industry for over five years and it has been an incredible journey so far. I specialize in sports reporting and am highly knowledgeable about the latest trends and developments in this field.
