The Federal Council is in favour of a federal guarantee for a possible deficit at the Winter Olympics in Grisons in 2022. The state government thus supports previous statements by Federal President Ueli Maurer that the federal government will provide the International Olympic Committee with a deficit guarantee for the holding of the Winter Olympics. The last fears that the canton of Grisons or the host cities might have to pay for a deficit have now been definitively dispelled.
The federal government must assume responsibility for a deficit resulting from the holding of the Winter Olympics in Grisons. This is the opinion of the Federal Council. The Federal Council believes that the financial risk arising from holding the Olympic Games is justifiable. In his response to an interpellation by the Graubünden National Councillor Semadeni, he points out that there is now a new organizational and implementation budget which, taking into account the federal contribution of one billion francs, concludes without a deficit. The budget includes a reserve of around 200 million francs.
The Federal Council is thus making it clear that neither the Canton of Grisons nor the municipalities of St. Moritz or Davos would have to pay for any deficit resulting from the holding of the Games. The decision is of great importance for Graubünden in 2022. On this important issue, he addresses final concerns with regard to financial risks for the canton and municipalities. These had been stirred up, although the Graubünden government and also the Grand Council had made it clear for a long time that the canton would not participate in the running costs or a deficit of the games.
The financial risk of such a deficit guarantee is also very small for the federal government, as the implementation budgets of the Winter Olympics can be planned and managed very precisely. Since 1998, no more Olympic Winter Games have ended with a loss.
The federal government will closely monitor both the candidature phase with the preparation of the budget and the implementation and implementation phase of the Olympic Winter Games. He can intervene immediately and force project changes if it appears that the budgets are not within the planned limits.
gartmann.biz supports Graubünden 2022 in media and marketing: Christian Gartmann is Head of Marketing & Communications at the Graubünden 2022 Association.