Visibility is a key prerequisite for recognition, participation, and prospects in sports. As a sports organization, Special Olympics Switzerland repeatedly experiences how important media presence is for athletes, clubs, and entire movements – especially for those who are not the focus of the commercial market.
The SRG makes a crucial contribution here. With its coverage from all language regions and across a wide variety of sports – from established disciplines to youth and niche sports, to sports for people with disabilities – it not only strengthens sports but also social cohesion in Switzerland. Each year, the SRG broadcasts around 9,000 hours of live sports from over 100 sports, fulfilling a clear public mandate that private providers cannot deliver to this extent.
Athletes with cognitive impairments, in particular, are rarely in the media spotlight. Emotional and in-depth reports, such as this report about the skier Joel Fehlmann, create visibility, recognition, and appreciation – and make inclusion in sports tangible for the general public.
Halving the SRG’s funds would have direct and noticeable consequences: less live sport, lower reach, and significantly less visibility. Smaller sports, Para sports, youth sports, and sports for people with disabilities would be particularly affected. Many of their stories would hardly be told anymore.
For Special Olympics Switzerland, it is therefore clear: Swiss sport needs a strong SRG. The media space for diversity, inclusion, and social cohesion must not shrink. For this reason, Special Olympics Switzerland strongly rejects the SRG halving initiative of March 8.
