Reviving the Flame

Environment
The Swiss folk is determined to shift toward a more sustainable lifestyle. While many respondents
believe it is possible to change mind sets to benefit the environment, one must stay realistic and understand
such change in behaviour cannot take place on such short schedules. Nonetheless, that does not prevent
the OCOG to propose certain initiatives or programs to be framed based on sustainable development and
encourage people to favour sustainable models and the use of green resources.
National Identity
Switzerland is varied and some cantons are seen as more closed minded and individualistic. Interviewees
believe a SME can foster a change toward unity and national cohesion. Though, as well as for the
environment, such alteration cannot happen so fast.
Here, the OCOG should rather focus on encouraging collaboration and understanding through the
various projects between cantons but also provide equal opportunities for all stakeholders to enhance
coopetition (i.e. between villages, regions, or cantons).
Human Capital
Switzerland is used to organise winter sports’ contests and event. The challenge will be to manage a
larger number of venues simultaneously, which is, according to various respondent, not a big issue, since
the main risks are known and inherent to any outdoor event, like weather conditions or natural disasters
(Stricker, 2017; Reynard, 2017; De Buman, 2017). This organisational know-how can widely be highlighted
during the Games through the medias.
Furthermore, the excellent universities and schooling systems can also be showcased and turned into
USPs for the country by raising interest from an international public. As an example, smaller event or
initiative can be organised during the Games to present researchers’ and students’ prototypes in the sport,
technology or other industries.
Sport & Youth
The critical path Switzerland is heading on for winter sports are its deficiency discourse and the
disinterest of the Youth. Reversing this tendency is, according to most stakeholders, possible with the
Games. The event can become the leitmotiv to engage the youth with winter activities again and to belie
certain assertion on the lack of snow or “death” of winter sports.
Sports- women and men would be the key ambassadors to revive the Olympic Values that are sport,
environment, cultural exchanges, and peace. These sportspeople can surely become mentors to the
upcoming generation and arouse new passion and vocation in young people.
Recommendation 41