Five months after the Lausanne Youth Olympic Games, the time was at the end of the game at the Vaudoise arena this Wednesday. And the least we can say is that it is positive for the organizing committee. If the popular success had been confirmed throughout the demonstration, the quantified result also delights the persons in charge of the demonstration. “The aim was to show a warm, young sportswoman from Switzerland. We have successfully completed it, said Virginie Faivre, radiant president. Lausanne 2020 will leave a mark on the sporting and Olympic history of our country. We are very proud of it. ”
These YOGs could also take advantage of the final moments before the COVID-19 pandemic came to disrupt our lives. “It was probably the last international multisport event,” said Christophe Dubi, IOC Olympic Games executive director. It was really a pleasure. ” Comments confirmed by Jürg Stahl, President of Swiss Olympic: “We were very lucky with the timing. It’s hard to talk about it without thinking about the current situation because the sport is very much affected, but it was good to be able to share the values of the sport. ” As a reminder, confinement was put in place in Wuhan (CHN) on January 23, the day after the closing ceremony.
A profit of 400,000 francs
Financially, the organizing committee prides itself on having obtained a profit of 400,000 francs, according to the projection of the operational budget. If the accounts will be formally closed at the end of 2020, the receipts amount to 48.4 million francs. Revenues mainly come from public funds from the City of Lausanne and the Canton of Vaud (9 million each), the Confederation (8 million), the IOC (6.2 million), Swiss Olympic (1.4 million), ticketing and merchandising (2.2 million), as well as cash sponsorship partnerships (1.9 million), supplemented by benefits in kind for more than 10 million.
In terms of spectators, a total of 640,000 people attended the party, including 350,000 at sporting events. Some competitions have welcomed more than 10,000 fans. The “en Jeux” festival was also widely attended (more than 200,000 people in Lausanne alone). Note that more than 80,000 schoolchildren attended these YOGs. “If I have to remember a particular moment, I think it would be my podiums on the medal square in Lausanne, confessed this Wednesday Amélie Klopfenstein, who had shone at Les Diablerets. I think this experience will bring me a lot for the future. ”
“A source of inspiration for the future”
In terms of media coverage, the organizers also welcome a great success. On its platforms, Lausanne 2020 has thus attracted more than 3 million unique users during the 13 days of competition. Some 66 million views were cumulated while the various videos were viewed 78 million times. In terms of television coverage, 191 territories (73 rights holders) broadcast tests. The public is estimated at 150 million people. “This is the greatest moment of my political career. The success was truly beyond all that we had hoped for, rejoiced Grégoire Junod, syndic of Lausanne and vice-president of the organizing committee. It is an inspiration for the future. ”
Another reason for satisfaction is the environmental assessment of the event. “No permanent infrastructure was built for these Games,” said Ian Logan, general manager. In addition, temporary infrastructure has been minimized and public transport encouraged. There was also a control of the impacts of the food and we were particularly surprised to see that more than 20% of the athletes ate our vegetarian menus. ”
Creation of a foundation
The other news announced by the organizers this Wednesday and the creation of a foundation intended to promote sport for all by taking advantage of the heritage of Lausanne 2020. Running races could in particular be organized every month, among others activities. The profit of 400,000 francs will be donated to this foundation. Furthermore, it seems that these Games leave open the possibility of a new Swiss bid for the Olympic Games in the future.
Finally, by the voice of Ian Logan, Lausanne 2020 wanted to give news of Olga Sevastianova, the artist who had suffered a serious accident on the eve of the opening ceremony: “It is difficult for us to communicate then that the investigation is still ongoing, but I confirm that with the IOC, we paid him 75,000 francs to help him. It has nothing to do with the investigation. Furthermore, if necessary, we will cover the costs of the CHUV. We received a letter of thanks from him. She is doing well and hopes to eventually resume an artistic activity. ”
Lausanne 2020 in figures:
Laurent Morel, Lausanne
–
