The sports umbrella organization Swiss Olympic is expecting more than 180 Swiss athletes for the Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina next February - more than ever before.
31.10.2025, 17:48
SDA
As was the case in Paris last summer, the Winter Olympics are returning to Central Europe - and thus to Switzerland's neighborhood - after a 20-year hiatus. Just under 100 days before the opening on February 6, Swiss delegation leader Ralph Stöckli was optimistic and full of anticipation.
"The decentralized competition venues are the future of the Games," the former top curler is convinced. "But they also pose special challenges." For example, the accommodation of the athletes at the individual venues. The Italians are relying on the proven organizers, who have a lot of experience in the individual sports and disciplines from organizing World Cups and title competitions.
The Swiss successes of recent years are also reflected in the size of the delegation. Eleven athletes from the three curling teams (men, women, mixed) have already been selected. As both ice hockey teams have also qualified, Stöckli is expecting over 180 participants from Switzerland. That would be a record; four years ago in Beijing there were 167. The entire delegation is therefore likely to comprise over 500 people, making Switzerland one of the four largest.
"There's still a lot to do," says Ralph Stöckli. "But the anticipation among the athletes, who, unlike in Beijing, can once again count on many family members and friends as spectators, is already palpable."
