The Olympic seduction – also in South Tyrol

There it was finally: the license to spend money free of all constraints. Who hasn't yet, who wants to again? In June 2019, the members of the Italian delegation cheered when the International Olympic Committee in Lausanne awarded Milan/Cortina d'Ampezzo the 2026 Winter Games. The result was relatively clear. 47:34 for the Italian candidate against Stockholm. Incidentally, the decisive factor at the time was the fact that the government at the time in Rome (Guiseppe Conte) gave the IOC financial assurance, while the Swedes simply pointed out that their strong economy would be behind the games. The Swedish government was left out.

For the members of the IOC, this was a commitment that was too soft and not sufficiently binding, which is why Sweden once again did not get a chance, even though Italy had only received Olympic consecration with Turin in 2006. In addition, it was reported that enthusiasm for the games was much greater in Italy at 88 percent than in Sweden at just 55 percent. However these numbers may have come about, they could actually have been a deciding factor, because the Olympic star no longer shines as brightly as it once did. Quite the opposite. Especially these days there are reports of alleged corruption, cost explosions and waste in connection with the Olympic Games in Tokyo.

Funds are released It is a vicious circle that arises here, because the commitment to host the largest sporting event has always been accompanied by great desire. It seems like winning the lottery. It's often only a secondary concern about sport. It is the infrastructure that is often cited when people talk about the positive effects of a successful application. At this point I would like to briefly clear up a myth. The Munich subway was not built because the 1972 games were awarded. The planning had begun well in advance. But the story persists, also as an example of the fact that it is worth it for everyone when the IOC gives the green light, because suddenly - and this is really a phenomenon - funds are released that were previously frozen by the guardians of the budget rails. Approval procedures are completed quickly. At least compared to normal times. Dreams should and can now actually be realized.

Large projects in South Tyrol There is also suddenly a sense of optimism in South Tyrol. The Riggertalschleife is intended to connect the Pustertal valley better and faster by train with Brixen and thus of course also with Bolzano. It's been planned for a long time, but now it should go faster. Moles are booming. Enough engineers are already there and are currently digging the Brenner base tunnel. Now the towns of Kiens and Percha are to be relieved through tunnels. And roundabouts in Valdaora and at the entrance to Antholz are being discussed, although there can no longer be any talk of modesty. Pictures of a two-story scheme for Antholz are making the rounds. Little Los Angeles. The beginnings of architectural megalomania are spreading. There is a gold-rush atmosphere according to the motto: Who knows when so much money will be available for such measures again once the Olympic madness is over. However, on the recent trip to Antholz for the World Cup, I noticed that not much earth had been moved anywhere. A few kilometers of red fences mark the locations of the planned construction work.

There is no sign of a new train route anywhere. It may be permissible to gently point out that the year is 2023. There are only three years left until the Olympic Games, which will ultimately be different than what was announced during the election. Everything, it was grandly said at the time, was already ready. It was a fairy tale. Suddenly the biathlon stadium in Antholz, which is supposed to be immediately suitable for the Olympics and is the most beautiful and best in the world at the moment, has millions of dollars worth of catching up to do. In Antholz they are making clever use of the Olympic generosity. The excavators are already warming up. In Cortina d'Ampezzo the supposedly existing bobsleigh and toboggan run is in ruins. Figures are now circulating that a new ice channel would cost 100 million euros. You definitely don't want to go to North Tyrol, where there is a train available in Innsbruck. Bring on the money. It is gradually dawning on those responsible that they have to restrain themselves, especially since all construction work is now becoming much more expensive than originally assumed. At the beginning of the year, Baselga di Pinè in Fiemme Valley was withdrawn from the speed skating competition. The roofing of the existing stadium would probably have cost almost 50 million euros. Now they will go to Turin, which will soon mean ten different venues for the games in Milan/Cortina. And these will be the games with the longest distances between the sports venues. Much of this was already known in 2019. The Olympic Games seduce everyone who falls into their clutches. Montreal paid off debts for almost 1976 years after the 30 Games. Nagano was insolvent after 1998. It is to be hoped that the Olympic frenzy in Italy will not be followed by a long-lasting hangover in three years. It cannot be ruled out.

About the author: Sigi Heinrich The renowned and multi-award-winning sports journalist (including the German Television Award, the Bavarian Sports Award and the Biathlon Award) dedicates his column “Sigisspitzen” to the wide variety of sports. Sometimes with a smile and a wink or extremely serious. Sometimes deliberately provocative. There should be something for everyone. Heinrich has worked as a TV commentator at 15 Olympic Games so far.

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The Olympic seduction – also in South Tyrol

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