As of: February 26, 2024, 7:09 p.m
By: Christoph Klaucke
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According to Neureuther, the promises of sustainability at the Olympics were not kept.
His documentary shows the sad reality.
Munich – Winter sports are close to Felix Neureuther’s heart.
No wonder that the Olympic Games play a special role in his life.
He was influenced not least by his parents, his mother Rosi Mittermeier became Gold Rosi in Innsbruck in 1976.
Neureuther himself took part in the Olympics three times in 2006, 2010 and 2014.
However, the 39-year-old does not agree at all with the developments with regard to the 2026 Winter Games in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo and is harshly critical.
“The most shocking thing to see”: Neureuther stunned in ARD documentary
Neureuther visited the locations of the 2006 Olympic Games in Turin and the future competition venues for the ARD documentary “Felix Neureuther – Playing with the Alps”.
This trip clearly disappointed him.
Sestriere, once the venue for alpine competitions, is now a “test-tube city, oversized and soulless”.
Neureuther described the conditions in his film as “the most shocking thing to see.”
He was referring in particular to the towns of Cesana and Pragelato, where the bobsleigh track and ski jumps are located and have been in disrepair for years.
“I wanted to portray something positive,” said Neureuther about his intention for the documentary.
The result, however, is a critical description of the situation, including regional megalomania.
Felix Neureuther is shocked about the Olympic plans.
© Michael Kappeler/dpa
“Promises not kept”: Neureuther rages after Olympic shock
Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo promised sustainability and the use of existing sports facilities.
But the reality is different, as Neureuther discovered.
“The promises have not been kept.” He predicts “games of scattered competitions” for 2026.
The sports facilities are far apart from each other; there are around 400 km between the alpine centers of Bormio and Cortina alone.
The distance from Cortina to Milan is even greater.
Despite his love for the Olympics and winter sports, Neureuther doesn't embellish anything.
He notes that Italy has not learned any lessons.
Antholz is expanding its biathlon stadium, even though the World Championships only took place there in 2020 and the arena is “perfect”.
Cortina is planning to build a new bobsleigh track instead of restoring the old one - even the IOC disapproves of this.
Neureuther recently complained about the Winter Games in Asia - and called for more sustainability.
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Neureuther is worried about the Olympics
In an ARD interview, Neureuther emphasized: “I’m basically looking forward to the Olympic Games.”
But he demands changes.
The Olympics should give hope: “For me, this is what we have to preserve for future generations: the natural cultural landscape in the Alps, the fascination of the mountains, protected habitats, established places, culture and nature in balance.” But the truth is clear different.
(ck/sid)
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