Ex-ski star criticizes “Olympic gigantism”

Like the decisions for Sochi 2014 and Pyeongchang 2018 before. “Unfortunately, it is becoming clear again in Beijing that for the third time in a row, these Games do not embody the values that the Olympic Games should embody. If you look at how many billions of euros are being spent on this: it can't be in the interest of Olympic sport to inflate the games to such an extent that they are no longer affordable," Neureuther told the "Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung". Gigantism at the Olympics is absolutely the wrong approach. The Olympics should remain a dream for every athlete, “but can’t we do it in a much more contemporary way by investing not in gigantism but in sustainable issues? Of course the product has to shine, but can it shine when human rights are being trampled on next to the competition venues? If the IOC says that we athletes should stay out of political issues, then that is no longer up to date,” criticized the 37-year-old. Leaving an Olympic legacy He would like the local people and all spectators to be left with an Olympic legacy “that creates a new beginning and shows what sport can do for our society.” The games in the past, such as Munich 1972, Lillehammer 1994 or Shown in London 2012. In addition, skiing must become more sustainable in times of climate change and melting glaciers. “Do we always have to carve new downhill slopes into the forest? It is no longer fashionable to ski on the glacier in summer. This makes you very vulnerable as a sport,” warned Neureuther. Ski racing in particular could position itself and send a signal that “we have understood”. Expanding ski areas or linking them together so that even larger areas are created on even more areas is the wrong approach. “The money that is spent on expansions should be invested in more sustainable railways, in more energy-efficient snowmaking systems and in research,” demanded Neureuther.

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Ex-ski star criticizes “Olympic gigantism”

Former ski star Felix Neureuther has criticized the awarding of the Winter Olympics next February to China.

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