The Swedish successes in the Paris Olympic Games gave a media impact corresponding to an advertising value in the multi-billion class and strengthened the image of Sweden. But it costs money to take medals in the Olympic Games – and it is lacking, according to, among other things, the Swedish Olympic Committee's chairman Hans von Uthmann.
"To win gold for Sweden, you often have to pay for your own effort – 70 percent of the Olympic national teams plan from 2026 to charge the athletes who will compete for Sweden", the article authors write.
The Swedish Olympic Committee has a support program for individual athletes, Top and talent. According to the committee, 44 percent of the athletes participating in the program live below the subsistence level before they receive scholarships and support.
The financing for this comes from the business community, but to "lift sports stars above the subsistence level" the Swedish Olympic Committee has also taken from its own saved capital. But "that possibility has been exhausted", they write.
The state – which today covers the costs for preparations and implementation of the Olympic Games – is urged to step forward further.
The organization wants the state to contribute with an additional 100 million kronor annually to top sports, in addition to the existing Olympic support. The same amount is wanted from the business community.
They also want to see state elite sports scholarships.
"Swedish elite sports are at a crossroads", the authors write.
