Reviving the Flame

The challenge for Sion 2026 is to become the first OWG host city to propose a project based on the
Agenda 20 20 and the idea of human size Games. It can be a risk if the city fails to deliver its promises, but
if the OCOG turns it into an opportunity, the city can become a worldwide model for organising the first
sustainable Winter Games.
5.2. Risks
Based on the qualitative interviews, various challenges in different domains exist. A second analysis
allowed the author to highlight six risk themes: Environment, politic, budget, communication, stakeholders,
and legacies (see appendix X). The number of risks being numerous, the author also classifies them
chronologically. As Mr. De Buman (2017) suggests, issues can happen before the bid, during the bid, and
during & after the Games. Every answer fit in these three categories, but most challenges are classified
before the bid. A reason may be that this is the period during which the data were gathered, which may
influence respondent in focusing on immediate risks.
5.2.1. Before the Candidacy
Environment
There are two main problems that respondents see linked to the environment. The first is the practice
of Green Washing, which happens when marketing is done so the brand or organisation seems ecoresponsible
but is not in reality. For Mr. Clivaz (2017) and Mr. Crettenand (2017), such behaviour often has
a negative impact on people’s trust in sustainable discourses. In addition, Mr. Crettenand (2017)
emphasises the issue people have understanding what is meant by “sustainable development”. He believes
people either see it as green washing or comprehend it as simple ecology.
Politic
According to Mr. De Buman (2017) and Mrs Riva (2017), the lack of political support before the bid phase
is a clear issue for Sion 2026. The committee needs political alliances for the population to trust them and
be interested into their project. Furthermore, the project still needs to be accepted by the Parliament,
which renders the situation uncertain for the future of Sion 2026.
Budget
The budget is the topic at the heart of the current debates. People have a hard time trusting the IOC
which is still seen as a corrupted organisation (Reynard, 2017; Felli, 2017; De Buman, 2017). Certain parties
in Switzerland have difficulties in deciding whether to support the project or not. A reason given by Mr.
Reynard (2017), representative of the socialist party, is the lack of guarantee in case of a deficit. To him it
is of importance for the committee to bring clear proof that people will not have to pay in case of cost
overrun.
Findings 25