DDPS supports the 2017 Alpine ski world championships
Bern, 02.02.2017 - The Alpine ski world championships will be held in St. Moritz from 6 to 19 February 2017. On this occasion, Switzerland will be the focus of international sport. The Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport helps those in charge to organise an unforgettable sports event. Together the armed forces and the civil defence organisation dedicate a total of about 13,000 service days for this event. The Federal Office of Sport is supporting the organisers with a contribution of 7.25 million francs. In addition, they benefit from other subsidies and services on behalf of Swiss Ski.
The Alpine ski world championships will be held in St. Moritz already for the fifth time. During the competitions, some 600 athletes from 70 countries compete for 11 sets of medals. This event in the Swiss mountains will be broadcast throughout the world and Switzerland will be presented as a unique winter sports destination. Such an international major event can only be carried out with the necessary expertise. The DDPS supports the organisers and they benefit from its experience.
On behalf of the ski world championships the armed forces provide services amounting to about 10,000 service days. Services carried out include work relating to assembling and disassembling infrastructure and facilities as well as constructions such as the arena or spectator platforms. In addition, earth has to be moved and heaped up, snow has to be cleared and transports have to be carried out. Services are also carried out that relate to regulating the traffic, organising the races and medical support. The armed forces support the cantonal police of Graubünden during the competitions with air transports and aerial reconnaissance. Three helicopters are deployed for this: two EC635s and a Super Puma. Various air shows of the Patrouille Suisse and the PC 7 TEAM are planned as well as local military band concerts. These services are provided in accordance with the MCSO (Ordinance on the Support for Civilian or Off-duty Activities with Military Resources) on behalf of the 2017 Alpine Ski World Championships in St. Moritz.
The Civil Defence organisation also provides extensive services for the ski world championships, in particular as regards construction, logistics and security. The services of the Civil Defence also include assembly and disassembly of barriers and signposts, the installation of camera locations, transports, the installation and clearing of parking lots and helping the cantonal police of Graubünden direct the traffic. Altogether the specialists of the civil defence organisation provide almost 3,000 service days for the ski world championships. Members of the civil defence organisations from the cantons of Graubünden, Zurich and St. Gallen are on duty. The deployment of Civil Defence personnel on behalf of the public has been authorised by the Federal Office for Civil Protection (FOCP). During operations at the Alpine ski world championships, tasks and leadership activities are trained that the civil defence organisation would have to carry out during a disaster or in an emergency. Intercantonal collaboration is also trained and strengthened in this way.
The Federal Office of Sport (FOSPO) is supporting the ski world championships with a unique contribution of altogether 3.5 million francs. As part of the National Sports Facilities Programme (NSFP 4), a further three million franks were provided for infrastructure and 0.75 million for barrier equipment. Over the past years Swiss Ski also received financial support from the NSFP to procure and augment equipment for cordoning off the ski course that is used at world cup events and now also at the Alpine ski world championships. In addition, Swiss Ski has received subsidies over the last three years for various projects relating to world championships. At the Magglingen National Sports Centre Swiss Ski and its athletes benefit throughout the year from various services (training stays, performance tests, regeneration and rehabilitation) and the fitness room that was enlarged last summer.
Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin, head of the DDPS, will attend the two downhill races in St. Moritz on Saturday and Sunday 11/12 February. The Chief of the Armed Forces, Lt Gen Philippe Rebord, will visit the ski championships on Tuesday 7 February. The head of the FOCP, Matthias Remund, will be present on Monday 6 February, Friday 10 February and Saturday 11 February.
Media representatives wishing to visit the troops, please contact Mr Giorgio Krüsi, giorgio.kruesi@vtg.admin.ch directly or call 058 465 53 47.
Address for enquiries
Renato Kalbermatten
DDPS spokesman
058 464 88 75
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