Sports Minister Viola Amherd is in favour of a Winter Olympic Games that are “sustainable, tailor-made for Switzerland and widely supported”. Whether local voters can be convinced is another matter.
This content was published on
2 minutes
Keystone-SDA/ts
“Switzerland is a country that is passionate about sport and hosts many major national and international events. Mrs Amherd is convinced that major international events can trigger lasting changes in society and the economy,” said Renato Kalbermatten, head of communications at the sports ministry, on Friday. He was confirming a report in Tamedia’s German-language newspapers.
Swiss Olympic and the winter sports federations are currently carrying out preliminary work into the possibility of a bid.
Kalbermatten would not comment on possible plans or federal contributions.
There is currently no information or decision concerning possible candidacies.
Lack of popular support
While politicians may be keen on hosting the Games, Swiss locals are less so. In the past 35 years Switzerland has attempted to win the prestigious event eight times, but has never succeeded.
More
More
Why voters said ‘No’ to the Olympics
This content was published on
In February, a majority of voters in an alpine canton rejected a proposal to host the Winter Games in 2026. What caused the local campaign to backfire?
In February 2017, voters in canton Graubünden rejected a proposal to host the Winter Olympics in 2026 – the second such bid to be turned down at the ballot box in four years.
Then in June 2018 voters in canton Valais said no to bidding for the 2026 Games. The bid was rejected in some of the largest ski areas in the canton, including Zermatt and Nendaz – the latter linked to the fashionable resort of Verbier. Crans-Montana and Saas-Fee were two mountain resorts where voters approved the bid.
The Alpine country has so far hosted the Winter Olympics on two occasions – in 1928 and 1948 – both times in St Moritz.
Should raw milk sales be banned or should consumers decide?
Swiss food regulations do not allow raw milk to be sold for direct consumption. However, a loophole allows 400 raw milk vending machines to do just that.
COP29: Swiss NGOs call for strong financial support
This content was published on
Ahead of COP29, Swiss NGOs call for wealthy nations to pay $1,000 billion a year to help other countries solve climate problems.
Real Swiss wages likely to rise in 2025, says UBS bank
This content was published on
Higher wages and falling inflation are likely to boost Swiss purchasing power, which will be dragged back by rising health premiums.
This content was published on
Switzerland has a new tectonic map at a scale of 1:500,000, containing updates to geometry, distribution and nomenclature of the tectonic units.
This content was published on
Swiss artist Daniel Spoerri, known for his artworks using leftover food with dirty cutlery and crockery, has passed away in Vienna at the age of 94.
Climate change tipped to alter Swiss avalanche patterns by 2100
This content was published on
Climate change is expected to result in fewer avalanches overall in Switzerland but to increase the danger of wet snow avalanches by 2100.
This content was published on
Switzerland’s failed Winter Olympics bid “Sion 2026” cost CHF6.3 million ($6.3 million), according to a Sunday newspaper.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.