Switzerland 2026 Bids Drawing from Economic Legacy

(ATR) Could a Swiss Olympic bid revitalize tourism in the country? Organizers across the country think so.

Switzerland has not hosted a Winter Olympics since St. Moritz did so in 1948, despite being the home of the IOC and Olympic Movement. Since that time Switzerland has unsuccessfully bid for the Games four times and seen other bids stalled from failed referendums.

With the first full Winter Olympic bid cycle coming after the implementation of Olympic Agenda 2020, Swiss Olympic has two bids to choose from. One is based in the western Canton of Valais, while the other comes from the eastern Canton of Graubünden. Swiss Olympic will evaluate the two bids over the coming weeks, with the body’s executive council recommending a project in March. The Swiss Olympic general assembly will choose a bid on April 11.

Swiss Olympic president Jörg Schild told Around the Rings that the "core of [the bid] process," remains what can the country offer to the Olympic Games. Schild says that the two bids are expected to cost much less than previous efforts because of Agenda 2020, which should pass the scrutiny of a public vote.

"We want a project that will benefit the whole of Switzerland in five key areas: sport, civil society, tourism, the economy and the environment," Schild said.

"Firstly, we know that now we can do it. Agenda 2020 and a revised approach to the bidding process create a new reality in which a Swiss bid really makes sense again for our country. Secondly, it is now clear to us that we should do it. We should because we have an issue in this country, as children do not do enough sports anymore, an issue especially pertinent with winter sports.

"Because of this and other reasons, our winter tourism industry is also suffering. The Olympic Games is a unique tool to revitalize winter sports in our country and the industry and the jobs that depend on it. Thirdly, it’s clear to us that we should do it now. After two editions in Asia, we think that a great bid in the heart of the Alps has a really good chance in the 2026 race."

Leading the bids are two economic leaders throughout Switzerland. The Valais bid is headed by Jean-Philippe Rochat, a lawyer based in Lausanne, and Graubünden is helmed by the canton'sHead of the Department of Economy and Social AffairsJon Domenic Parolini, Both leaders spoke with ATR about the respective bids, and the urgency of bringing the Olympics back to Switzerland.

The western Swiss bid was formed from the combination of two proposed Swiss Winter Olympic bids. Eventually, the bids combined to be centered in the Canton Valais and the city of Sion. The bid now includes venues in the Cantons of Berne, Fribourg, and Vaud, all from existing venues, according to Rochat.

The bid draws upon the experiences of the failed Sion 2006 bid, mostly in international relations, and the expectations of Agenda 2020. The previous Sion bid attempted to host the Games alone, which today is considered unfeasible.

Rochat says most of the infrastructure for the bid is already built, or will be built regardless of the Games. Valais has managed to secure funding for an Olympic bid without referendum, and Rochat says if any of the other three cantons reject the bid, there are contingency plans for it to move forward.

"We tried to look in each Canton, places where there were already existing infrastructure, new infrastructure or planned investment with other events," Rochat said to ATR. "We hope such an event like the Winter Olympics can help us in Switzerland in investing in new infrastructure and trying to improve our capacity in receiving and welcoming foreigners to Switzerland. We have lost a bit over time on our neighbors [in tourism] and such an organization can help developing our tourism."

For the eastern Swiss bid, the Canton of Graubünden will host a majority of events, with support from the Canton of Zurich. Parolini told ATR the main selling point of the bid is the potential economic gains for the region, and "positive social development" which would come from its legacy.

On Feb. 12, the citizens of Graubünden will vote on whether or not to continue the Olympic bid. Parolini declined to say if the bid was confident in a positive vote. He did say if the citizens confirm the process "the bid will have a democratic basis and be strongly supported by the public," bolstering its chances going forward.

"Graubünden has a long experience in tourism and hospitality," Parolini said. "A large part of the needed infrastructure already exists and we have a huge experience in organizing big sports events such as the FIS Alpine Ski World Championships. Sustainability is the main focus and the legacy for the region, the land and the Olympic Movement is in the centre of the bid."

Written by Aaron Bauer

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