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.
Switzerland may triple tuition fees for foreign university students
This content was published on
Foreign students at ETH Zurich and EPFL may soon have to pay at least three times as much as Swiss students in tuition fees.
Female climate activists could report Switzerland to Council of Europe
This content was published on
The KlimaSeniorinnen association (the Climate Senior Women) is urging the Swiss government to respect the European court’s recent decision.
Horizon Europe is partially open again to researchers in Switzerland
This content was published on
With renewed negotiations with the EU Commission, and thanks to CHF600 million in federal funds, Swiss researchers can again apply for some grants.
This content was published on
Swiss political parties want to ban Hamas and classify it as a terrorist organisation in Switzerland, which would prevent financing and propaganda activity.
Swiss public prosecutor calls for Tariq Ramadan to be jailed for rape
This content was published on
A three-year prison sentence for Tariq Ramadan is being demanded for the rape of a woman in a hotel room in Geneva in October 2008.
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.