"Such a Shame": Neureuther Criticizes 2030 Olympic Venues

The 2030 Olympic Games will take place in the French Alps. This has drawn criticism from former ski star Felix Neureuther.

He argues that the distances between the individual alpine competition venues are too long. While the slalom events and giant slalom will be held in Val d'Isère, the speed races will take place in Courchevel. The distance is almost a two-hour drive.

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Neureuther Sees Other Possibilities

"I just think it's such a shame that in France, the Olympic Games of long distances will take place once again," he explained to "Bayerischer Rundfunk."

As an example of how it could be different, he names Courchevel and Meribel, where the Ski World Championships were held in 2023. "That's why I think it would have been easily possible to bring men and women, the technical specialists and the speed racers, together in one place," said the German.

Call for "Better Models and Structures"

Furthermore, it also creates a different feeling at the Olympics when the athletes are so spread out. He also points to the past Games in Milan and Cortina as a reference. According to Neureuther, sports should be more clustered again in the future.

"What made the Olympics so great, that unique aspect – that's exactly what we need," says the former slalom skier, expressing his wish for "better models" and "better structures."

The 2030 Winter Olympic Games will take place from February 1st to 17th.