Ruth Metzler-Arnold, the newly appointed President of Swiss Olympic, has hit the ground running since taking office at the beginning of January 2025. With a wealth of experience as a former Federal Councillor and a background in sports administration, Metzler-Arnold is now facing significant challenges, particularly the Swiss government's plan to cut 17.5 million francs in sports funding.
In her first media conference, marking 100 days in office, Metzler-Arnold expressed her commitment to advocating against these proposed austerity measures, which she believes could severely impact the Swiss sports system. "Cutting funding for sports would be a completely wrong approach. It plays a valuable socio-political role," she stated emphatically, highlighting the importance of sports in contributing to society's health and integration.
The Swiss Federal Council's austerity plan aims to reduce spending across various sectors, targeting sports with substantial cuts. Specifically, it proposes to save around 2.5 million francs from youth sports programs, 10 million from operational contributions to national sports facilities, and another 5 million by reducing support for major international sports events.
Metzler-Arnold is adamant about the negative consequences these cuts would have, not only on elite sports but also on grassroots initiatives. She remarked, "These cuts would not only affect sports associations but would also have societal consequences, particularly in areas such as health prevention." As a response, she has already begun informal discussions with parliamentarians, intending to intensify these efforts as the political debate unfolds.
With a robust team backing her, Metzler-Arnold described her initial experiences as positive, noting the high motivation and commitment of her colleagues. "I have made a very good start, partly because I have been able to count on very committed and competent support from my colleagues on the Executive Board," she shared. Her focus is not solely on addressing financial concerns but also on enhancing the overall operational efficiency of Swiss Olympic.
Looking ahead, Metzler-Arnold is also keen on securing Switzerland's candidacy for the Olympic Winter Games in 2038. She believes that hosting such prestigious events could create a positive momentum for the country, saying, "The Games could create a positive momentum for us, especially in the world we have today. It wouldn't just affect the sports that actually take part in the Olympic and Paralympic Games, but would have a much wider emotional impact. Ultimately, it would affect our society."
This ambition comes at a time when Switzerland is gearing up to host numerous major sporting events, including the Women's European Football Championship in July 2025, the Biathlon World Championships, and the Mountaineering World Championships. Metzler-Arnold emphasized the need for better coordination among these events to avoid conflicts over funding, sponsorships, and volunteer resources. "We should try to coordinate this better and spread it out over several years so that the different sports don't compete with each other," she advised.
Furthermore, she is exploring potential collaborations, including a merger with the parasports association, Swiss Paralympic. This initiative aims to streamline operations and enhance support for athletes with disabilities, reflecting Metzler-Arnold's commitment to inclusivity within Swiss sports.
Despite the challenges, Metzler-Arnold remains optimistic about the future of Swiss sports. She noted that the ongoing discussions regarding the funding cuts are crucial and that Swiss Olympic's position will be reinforced through an active political strategy. "We will intensify our political work, as we have many activities that would require more funding rather than less," she asserted.
In her previous roles, Metzler-Arnold has navigated through political storms, being the youngest Federal Councillor elected in 1991 and serving until 1995. Her extensive experience in corporate management and her presidency of the Swiss Sports Aid Foundation from 2005 to 2008 have equipped her with a unique perspective on the intersection of sports, politics, and society.
As she steps into this pivotal role, Metzler-Arnold is acutely aware of the scrutiny that comes with it. She has received positive feedback from her colleagues, who appreciate her approachability and dedication to the role. Unlike her predecessor, she aims to engage more directly with the staff and stakeholders, fostering a culture of collaboration and transparency.
With the consultation process for the proposed budget cuts running until early May, Metzler-Arnold and her team are working diligently to advocate for the importance of sports funding. The upcoming parliamentary discussions will be critical in determining the future of sports financing in Switzerland.
In conclusion, Ruth Metzler-Arnold's first 100 days as President of Swiss Olympic have been marked by a proactive approach to addressing financial challenges while simultaneously planning for the future of Swiss sports on both national and international stages. Her commitment to advocating for the importance of sports funding and her vision for the future of Swiss Olympic underscore her determination to create a thriving sports environment in Switzerland.
