Last but not least: Olympic problem bundler
If Ringier has its way, the people of Graubünden will approve the Olympic Games. M13 shows that this could be difficult.
Not only the sports-loving Unterländer, but also Ringier is known to find the idea of an Olympic Games in Graubünden extremely appealing. This enthusiasm is not only due to Infront Ringier's involvement in the search for sponsors. According to CEO Marc Walder, it is logical that sports-loving newspapers such as Blick and Sonntagsblick are fundamentally positive about the idea of an Olympic Games in their own country. Added to this is his personal enthusiasm for the "wonderful Grisons" (Werbewoche.ch reported). In order to ensure balanced reporting, opponents were given space for arguments in last year's Sonntagsblick. Since then, critical reporting has shrunk to a manageable level.
All of Helvetia is impressed by Ringier's opinion machinery. All of Helvetia? No. A part of the country populated by unyielding Grisons citizens will not stop resisting the media house. Capricorn-like and stubborn, they refuse to share the prescribed Olympic euphoria. Even spontaneously issued deficit guarantees and celebrity statements in the View nothing.
Blick sports boss Felix Bingesser therefore set off the ultimate district fireworks yesterday, Tuesday, and published a full-page open letter to Graubünden. Title: "Fascination of the rings in Switzerland - OlympJA!" The words get under your skin in such a way that even an Aargau native can get wet eyes in places. And the arguments are convincing: "Dear people of Graubünden. Games in St. Moritz and Davos only make sense if they are wanted and supported by the population." The people of Graubünden were probably not aware of this until now. Of course there would be ecological issues to clarify and of course the Games would cost "a hell of a lot of money" - but after all, the UBS banker gambled away even more in a very short space of time last year.
Did that work? One may doubt it. In response, the people of Graubünden shot down our favorite bear M13 today and showed the lowlands what they think of attempts to influence the media. The answer to the OlympJA was thrown in for free. (hae)
