Few international sports leaders are as concerned about the race for the 2022 Winter Games as Gian-Franco Kasper. The Swiss has been a member of the IOC since 2000. Above all, he has chaired the International Ski Federation (FIS) since 1998, after having been its Secretary General for almost 20 years. At a time when Oslo's candidacy is struggling to convince Norwegian public opinion of the interest of the Olympic project, FrancsJeux asked him about the why and how of this improbable three-way race, with Almaty and Beijing. A no-nonsense interview.
FrancsJeux: Why do we find ourselves today with a three-way race, Almaty, Oslo and Beijing, for the award of the 2022 Winter Games?
Gian-Franco Kasper: The Sochi effect played a role. In Europe, in particular, people have not all realized that the majority of spending at the last Winter Games was devoted to sustainable infrastructure. The Russians built in 6 years what we, in the Alps, needed 200 years to build. This resulted in a misunderstanding in international public opinion, which explains the no to the referendums conducted in certain countries tempted by a candidacy.
Switzerland in particular?
Of course. But the case of Saint-Moritz goes beyond this Sochi effect. In Switzerland, people associate FIFA and the IOC with corruption. The reputation of the IOC is still tarnished, despite all the efforts made over the years. Things will change, little by little, but it will take time.
What does this three-way race for the 2022 Winter Games inspire you?
Norway is still doubtful. The population remains unfavorable, but it can change its point of view. We must remain optimistic, because Oslo is a very good candidate. I was part of the IOC commission which carried out the pre-selection, the three competing cities present good applications, the Games would probably be feasible there. In this race, Central Europe is missing. Concerning the Beijing candidacy, I had a problem, because I did not know the mountains. I wondered about the possibility of organizing the Winter Games there. An expert went to see what happened on site. He concluded that the Winter Games could be held there. There remains the question of snow. Last winter, not a single flake fell. And there has been little snow at the proposed sites over the past ten years. But I trust the Chinese: they will have the ability to make artificial snow. And a high-speed train will allow you to reach Beijing and the stations in 1 hour 30 minutes.
And Almaty?
Kazakhstan has the mountains and the venues to host a Winter Games, I have no doubt about that. And I have no doubt about their candidacy, even if the Kazakhs do not have much experience in organizing sporting events of international scale. The problem is more a matter of political choice. I can already see the headlines in the European press, if we vote Almaty. The newspapers will all say that the IOC gave the Games to an undemocratic country.
In any case, should these 2022 Winter Games be less expensive than those in Sochi?
Of course. I am for reducing spending. The Youth Games we experienced last month in Nanjing were exaggerated. They were moving away from the concept. Gigantism can kill the Olympic movement. In 2018, in PyeongChang, only one downhill track will be used at the Olympics for men and women. It's a very good idea.
After PyeongChang in 2018 and Tokyo in 2020, can the IOC still reasonably award the 2022 Games to Asia?
Going to Asia poses no problem for the IOC. It’s even quite interesting, in terms of development and for the winter sports industry. Today, Europe is reluctant to host the Winter Games, but things will change after 2018. People will realize that it is possible to host the event by spending less . They will wake up.
