In a prime position to host the 2038 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, Switzerland dreams more than ever of bringing the world back to its doorstep, something that hasn't happened since St. Moritz in 1948. It presented the outlines of its project on Monday. One key takeaway: it is adopting a decentralized approach. For the first time, it would not be a city or a region, but an entire country that would organize the Olympic and Paralympic Games. "A way to include the entire population, and to allow the whole of Switzerland to benefit from these Games."
From Geneva to Saint-Moritz
As is the trend, existing sports infrastructure will be utilized as much as possible, both to reduce costs and for reasons of environmental responsibility. As a historic winter sports nation, Switzerland has the advantage of already being well-equipped. Geneva would host curling and speed skating. The Olympic capital, Lausanne, would host figure skating and short track. Lenzerheide would once again host biathlon, having hosted the last World Championships.
Crans-Montana (alpine skiing), Engelberg (ski jumping, cross-country skiing, Nordic combined), St. Moritz/Silvaplana (freestyle skiing, snowboarding), and St. Moritz/Celerina (bobsleigh, luge, skeleton) are also on the map. Ice hockey would be split between Zurich, Zug, and Lugano. The opening ceremony is planned for Lausanne, and the closing ceremony for Bern. This list of venues corresponds to " in the current state of planning " and " adjustments are still possible " warns the Swiss committee.
The Paralympic Games would be held in Geneva (wheelchair curling), Lausanne (para ice hockey), Lenzerheide (para biathlon, para cross-country skiing), and St. Moritz (para alpine skiing, para snowboarding). The opening and closing ceremonies are scheduled to take place in Bern.
A paradigm shift
The Association for the 2038 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games is budgeting 2,2 billion Swiss francs (approximately 2,3 billion euros), 82% of which will come from the private sector. 18% of the funding will be public. A study by the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts and the international consulting firm EBP estimates that the 2038 Games could " generate between 2,75 and 3,68 billion francs of added value and create between 19.000 and 25.000 full-time jobs ».
« In Olympic history, it has always been cities or regions that have hosted the Games. The IOC has changed the rules. And we want to seize this opportunity for Switzerland to become the first “host country” in the history of the Olympic and Paralympic Games., assumes Frédéric Favre, CEO of the Association for the 2038 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. With its short distances and excellent infrastructure, our country is ideally suited for this paradigm shift. »
The entire country is united in this view, according to Ruth Metzler-Arnold, president of Swiss Olympic: Sports federations, representing both winter and summer sports, Olympic and non-Olympic, want the 2038 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games to be held in Switzerland. They recognize the lasting impact such an event can have on sport. Nothing has a comparable power to attract a major sporting event, which serves as a benchmark for an entire generation of athletes and inspires the population throughout the country, far beyond the world of sport. "The IOC will decide on the awarding of the Games in 2027."
