Swiss plan to host Summer Olympics

Press, 9 January 1981, Page 3

Swiss plan to host Summer Olympics

NZPA Zurich Two Swiss businessmen, prompted by what they com sider mounting “politicalisation” of the Olympic Games, have prepared a draft proposal that the summer events be held at sites throughout Switzerland and that any profits be earmarked for charitable purposes.

The sponsors. Messrs Bruno Gabriel and Eric Honegger. intend to present a detailed proposal at the international Olympic Committee’s meeting in September at Baden-Baden, West Germany.

At the conference, the 1.0. C. is to consider Greece’s proposal to be designated the permanent host of the Summer Games beginning in 1988.

An 1.0. C. spokesman said yesterday that the organisation is “aware” of the Swiss idea, but that the Greek plan “is the only proposal that is under 1.0. C. study.” Gabriel said in an interview that he doubts the Greek bid will be adopted. He noted the country’s mem> bership in N.A.T.O. and its past political and economic instability and said that, unlike Switzerland, Greece lacks sufficient facilities to play host to the Games. An outline of the plan — which proposes that events be held in Switzerland’s three cultural and linguistic regions — is to be discussed at the Swiss Olympic Committee’s meeting on January 16, and will be presented shortly to the 1.0. C. President, Mr Juan Antonio Samaranch, Gabriel said.