Swiss Olympic's Executive Council Nominates Sion 2026 as the Swiss Candidate for the 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games

The Executive Council of Swiss Olympic decided on two important issues regarding the nomination of a Swiss bid for the 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Game. 

Compartir
Compartir articulo

Today, the Executive Council of Swiss Olympic decided on two important issues regarding the nomination of a Swiss bid for the 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Firstly, it decided that the project «Sion 2026. The Games in the heart of Switzerland» had all the qualities required to provide such benefits. Secondly, the Executive Council also expressed its willingness to see Swiss Olympic take an active role in the bid, and thus confirmed its contribution to the bid budget. These decisions will have to be validated by the «Parliament of Sport», the general assembly of Swiss Olympic, on 11th April 2017.

The Executive Council has taken these decisions on the basis of two separate reports, produced by the 2026 Taskforce in charge of guiding and evaluating candidate projects since early 2016 (reports available here). These studies determined that the 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Games could have a significant economic impact for the country as a whole, estimated to be between 2.1 to 2.5 billion Swiss francs. Various surveys have also highlighted a very pronounced interest for the Games in the tourism, economic and sports sectors. Surveys in the areas of environment and sustainability, as well as civil society, have also shown very interesting opportunities. Additionally, the results of a survey of international Olympic experts have confirmed good chances of a winning Swiss bid if it is strong and innovative.

These reports both concluded that, at this stage, «Sion 2026. The Games in the heart of Switzerland» fulfilled all the criteria imposed and therefore had the potential to be the new, innovative project with a truly national impact, as sought by Swiss Olympic.

Following these reflections, the Executive Council decided to play a central role in the bid to ensure a strong presence of Swiss sport in the project. In order to do so, Swiss Olympic confirmed its intention to contribute 8 million Swiss francs, which represents one third of the established bid budget.

The reports of the Taskforce 2026 are available for download here.

Jürg Stahl, President of Swiss Olympic, said: «The results of the studies are clear: by setting up a new, modern and therefore truly pioneering Olympic project, the Games can have a strong beneficial impact in several important areas for our country. Swiss Olympic has its role to play in developing this great national project, by organising a refreshing Games with balanced finances and a sustainable approach. This process will provide us with the opportunity to have a real debate on the future of tourism in our country and our relationship with the environment. Switzerland is never as strong as when it is a pioneer, and these Games are an opportunity to create a new generation of pioneers, not only for the future of the Games but for the future of our country.»

Didier Cuche, former world class Swiss skier, Olympic medal winner and member of the 2026 Taskforce, added: «Of course, the Olympic Games are one of the best catalysts for sport development in our societies. But the opinion of the Taskforce is unanimous in believing that we have to go beyond that. We must create a great project that gives the next generation the opportunity to truly contribute to the development of tomorrow’s Switzerland. Through sport, this can be achieved. Sion 2026 has the potential to be this great project for Switzerland, set within the strict financial framework that we have developed, and with the conditions that have guided us since the beginning of this process. I look forward to continuing to closely follow the development of this bid.»

For more information please contact:

Alexander Waefler,

Head of Media and Information, Swiss Olympic

Tel: +41 31 359 72 16

Email: alexander.waefler@swissolympic.ch

25 Years at #1: Your best source of news about the Olympics is www.aroundtherings.com, for subscribers only

Recent Articles

The Friendship Games organized against Russia against the IOC will have the participation of 70 countries

The World Friendship Games (WFG) will feature competitions in 36 sports and will award 283 medals to the winners. The Russian Government announced that a press conference will soon be held to present them with more details and clarified that the invitations to participate are addressed to athletes and not to countries.
The Friendship Games organized against Russia against the IOC will have the participation of 70 countries

Clues about the pebetero: it will not be in the stadium but in the middle of Paris and in public view

From France, information indicates that the site chosen for the Olympic fire to be lit since July 26 would be the emblematic Tuileries Garden. Official sources did not confirm the fact, but they recognize the idea that it is located in the heart of Paris and in full view of fans.
Clues about the pebetero: it will not be in the stadium but in the middle of Paris and in public view

Nearly a thousand boats will welcome the torch in France

The parade in the Mediterranean will be minutes before disembarkation at the Old Port of Marseille; they must meet certain requirements and apply to participate.
Nearly a thousand boats will welcome the torch in France

France says it will “be ready” to ensure safety at the Olympic Games while raising the alert level

The attack in Moscow threatened the whole of Europe and security in Paris is once again in the spotlight, just four months after the parade of delegations on the Seine River.
France says it will “be ready” to ensure safety at the Olympic Games while raising the alert level

Will Paris 2024 have its red carpet?

Although all the expectations for July 26 are set on an opening ceremony that promises to be extraordinary, it is likely that, in the hour before the party, the world will attend a parade of luminaries from sports, arts and entertainment.
Will Paris 2024 have its red carpet?