The Swiss Winter Sports scene is poised for transformative changes as recent competitions, including the Biathlon World Championships, reveal both achievements and areas needing development.
Lenzerheide recently hosted the first Biathlon World Championships, marking a significant milestone for Swiss winter sports. Notably, Aita Gasparin reflected on her roots, stating, "I used to run cross-country races on this meadow where we are standing as a six-year-old girl," hinting at how far the sport has come since her childhood. With this event seen as part of the legacy building for winter sports, officials recognize the necessity for foundational growth.
According to Jürg Capol, CEO of the World Championships and future Nordic Director for Swiss-Ski, there's much work to be done to strengthen the sport's base. "We now have a team who are also potential medal winners at next year's Olympic Games," Capol emphasized. But the real success, he asserts, will require starting over at the grassroots level.
The effort focuses on clubs and schools, with Capol noting, "If you want to develop a sport, the pyramid must come from the bottom. We have to improve the base." The encouragement of biathlon must begin with young athletes, improving access to training and resources significantly.
Selina Gasparin, head of young talent and sister of Aita, is rolling out the “Biathlon for you” project to reach aspiring athletes. This initiative, supported by the World Championships' legacy program, has brought laser biathlon lessons to over 4,000 children. “The children find it fun. Even those who don’t like running give it their all when you combine it with shooting,” shared Gasparin, indicating the potential to encourage broader participation among youth.
She also noted how biathlon develops useful life skills: "These are qualities which are also useful in everyday school life." This intersection between sports education and life skills is pivotal to creating lasting interest and developing future champions.
While building this base of young athletes, the discussion simultaneously turns to the looming 2026 Winter Olympics set to be hosted by Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo. Despite the excitement, preparations reveal stark contrasts, particularly concerning accommodation costs during the games.
Unsuspecting tourists seeking tickets to experience live international competitions may face unwarranted financial strains. Recent reports highlighted how the picturesque Dolomites region is on the brink of becoming the most expensive location for winter sports enthusiasts, with hotel prices skyrocketing. It’s near impossible to secure lodging under 1,000 euros per night, with some high-end options climbing to 28,000 euros.
This dramatic shift signifies how major events impact local economies, and similar spikes have been witnessed during past events like the 2024 Paris Olympics and significant concerts. Interestingly, officials from booking platforms have denied culpability, asserting landlords control the pricing, with Airbnb and Booking offering only suggested rates.
Josep Ejarque, destination manager for the region, spoke to the situation, assuring travelers, "At all major events, prices rise sharply at the beginning, but then fall again if demand does not meet expectations." This indicates the volatile nature of pricing with major sporting events.
With accommodations pre-reserved by various Olympic committees, many options remain unavailable to the public. Only 5,800 beds are projected to be ready by game time, creating competition for remaining spots yet to be opened for bookings. This delicate balance of supply versus demand generates concerns for winter sports fans hoping to attend.
Yet amid the challenges, both past and present, the overarching narrative remains clear: winter sports embody resilience and opportunity. Efforts to build up the next generation of athletes through early engagement, as seen with the Gasparins' commitment to biathlon, holds promise for the future of winter sports.
By intertwining the need for economic pragmatism with the nurturing of local talent, the Swiss winter sports community aims to create sustainable success both on and off the field.