The holding of the Winter Olympics in Grisons is being examined in a comprehensive feasibility analysis. In addition to sporting, logistical, safety-related and financial aspects, the sustainability and long-term effects of the games are examined in particular. An innovation dialogue should ensure positive effects for Grisons and Switzerland, even if a candidacy before the IOC fails.
“The Association XXIV. Graubünden 2022 Winter Olympics I only want to apply for the games if they also suit Grisons.” The director of the association, Gian Gilli, summarizes the goal of the ongoing feasibility analysis to this simple denominator. The Champfèrer presented his team to Grisons media on Wednesday. Specialists from various fields are currently not only examining whether the Winter Olympics are logistically and organizationally feasible, but the long-term legacy of such a major event is also being examined.
The concept design evaluates the requirements, locations and costs of existing and to be built sports facilities as well as buildings for accommodation, media and logistical services. Local architects and engineers, in collaboration with local experts and government representatives, are examining whether and how the necessary buildings and systems can be built in the limited space available at the two venues and whether they can continue to be used afterwards.
“After the games, only sports facilities, buildings and infrastructure will be left standing for which there is an actual need and which can then continue to operate sensibly and at reasonable costs. We are already designing all other buildings so that they can be dismantled after the games and used again in another location if possible,” explains Rainer Quenzer. The architect has many years of experience in designing and implementing sports facilities for major events and is responsible for the concept design for the GR 2022 association. A specialist company is also examining the traffic-related feasibility of games in Grisons. The main focus is on public transport.
The question of whether the security of Olympic Games in Grisons can be ensured is being examined by Martin Jäggi, former police commander of the Canton of Solothurn and head of security of Euro 08. Jäggi is currently studying the feasibility, then drawing up a security concept and outlining possible needs for the deployment of the army, civil defense and police as well as cooperation with private security service providers. The area of “Innovation, Sustainability and Legacy” is closely integrated into all other areas.
Here, it is examined how and where a candidacy and holding of the Winter Olympics can have long-term, positive effects on Grisons and Switzerland. An innovation dialogue is in preparation, in which advocates and opponents of games in Grisons have their say. The dialogue should generate new ideas, but also address and examine concerns. In this way, he will ensure that an application process already produces innovations that move Graubünden and Switzerland forward.
One third of the candidacy is to be financed by the federal government, cantons/municipalities and the Swiss private sector. Marketing expert Sven Zehnder, who had managed the entire project until the end of the year, is now the secretary general of the association and is in talks with potential sponsors. The response to the idea is positive, he reports, but no concrete deals have yet been completed. By the end of March, the club will report to the Graubünden cantonal government, at the end of May, the Swiss Olympic sports parliament will decide on a candidacy and the people of St. Moritz will probably decide on a candidacy on November 25, 2012.
“A Graubünden candidacy only has a chance before the people if they can recognize that we are acting prudently and with respect for nature and people in our canton,” summarizes Christian Gartmann. The St. Moritz management consultant is responsible for the association's communication. “That is why we will provide comprehensive and transparent information about the project, including potentially controversial aspects of a candidacy.” At the end of March, the website will www.gr2022.ch launched and continuously developed into a comprehensive information platform. The Facebook page www.facebook.com/gr2022 is already up and running.
gartmann.biz supports Graubünden 2022 in media and marketing: Christian Gartmann is Head of Marketing & Communications at the Graubünden 2022 Association.