The decentralized hosting of the 2022 Winter Olympics at three or more locations would result in massive additional costs and high, additional traffic volumes in the canton of Grisons. This was the result of preliminary studies by the Grisons Association 2022. For a decentralized organization, one or more Olympic Villages and Media Centers would have to be created in addition and the transport system would have to be expanded. It was therefore rejected early on in the feasibility assessment.
In the discussion about the concept of the Grisons 2022 Winter Olympics, it is argued, among other things, that a decentralized organization of the Games, including Surselva, for example, would lead to massive cost savings. This thesis was tested at a very early stage of the feasibility study, but proved to be wrong. The construction of a third Olympic Village and a third media center would result in high additional costs and would result in a multiplication of organizational traffic.
Olympic villages must be connected to each other and to competition and training facilities in a shuttle bus operation. In addition, every venue must be connected to a comprehensive logistics system. The concentration on the two venues St. Moritz and Davos therefore not only limits the costs of building and operating Olympic Villages and security costs, it also minimizes organizational traffic.
Resource-saving and reasonable
Expanding the concept to a third main location would result in massive additional traffic between the three venues. This would result in an unnecessary burden on the valleys between the host cities as well as unnecessary energy loss and environmental pollution due to noise and exhaust gases. “I can understand that Surselva and other valleys are disappointed that they should not be venues for Olympic competitions.
However, based on the current state of knowledge, our clarifications regarding the construction, operation and safety costs for Olympic Villages and media centers as well as the findings regarding additional traffic mean that no other decision is possible,” says Gian Gilli, Director of Grisons 2022, commenting on the decision to centralize the Games to two locations. “Concentrating on St. Moritz and Davos is not a heartfelt decision against other valleys. The principle of short distances is resource-saving, reasonable and improves the economic and ecological balance of the Games.”
Valves benefit without Olympic competitions
Nonetheless, valleys without competitions benefit from the Olympic Games: Before and during the Games, a large number of conferences and events are held by sponsors. In addition, teams conduct training and acclimatization camps and also operate outdoor locations during the games, where athletes can prepare for the competitions in peace.
The accommodation of guests from associations, sponsors and the organization as well as media people, helpers, security personnel, construction experts and technicians will provide the hotel and parahotel industry throughout the canton with a very high level of occupancy over a longer period of time. The canton of Grisons can expect up to 950,000 additional overnight stays, according to an independent study.
gartmann.biz supports Graubünden 2022 in media and marketing: Christian Gartmann is Head of Marketing & Communications at the Graubünden 2022 Association.