PASSION
Austrians are passionate about winter sports and passionate about the Olympic Winter Games. The popularity of Olympic Winter Sports in Austria is demonstrated by the fact that over the last 20 years, more than ten million people – in a nation of eight million – have attended winter sports events in the country. The passion for Olympic sport extends in Austria to the Summer Games as well. A survey of broadcast viewing patterns conducted by the IOC during Athens 2004 revealed that among all countries, only the population of Japan watched more of the Summer Olympics than Austrians. This enthusiasm provides the foundation for a highly positive opinion about hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Salzburg in 2014.

The knowledge of the fan base – along with the tradition of full-house attendance – creates the kind of atmosphere that generates excitement on the ground and on the event broadcast.

EXPERIENCE
Austria’s ability to host and organise winter sports events at a world-class level of excellence is a matter of record. The country’s winter sport tradition offers the Olympic Movement proven event management expertise, a trusted and skilled volunteer base, a tried and true venue, transport and hospitality infrastructure and a knowledgeable community of fans that seldom fails to fill the arena.

The heritage of this tradition reaches back more than a century and captures the essential magic of winter sport. Austria is proud to offer the Olympic Family the unique brand experience of this heritage – the unique combination of excellence and intimacy that characterise one of the most enchanting traditions of winter hospitality in the world. The Salzburg City arenas and the Salzburg State snow venues stage numerous world cup races, world championships and other international sporting events every year. In fact, over the last six years – as the list below indicates – Austria has hosted international events for six of the seven International Federations of the Olympic Winter Sports.

Austria has a proud tradition of hosting sporting events for disabled athletes. The country supports more than 100 sports clubs for disabled athletes. In addition to annual alpine and nordic world cup races for the disabled, Austria also hosted the Alpine World Ski Championships for the Disabled in 2004.

And last year, Austria gained additional distinction by organising the 2005 Winter Universiade.

As the list below indicates, event owners have come to trust Austria as a host committed to excellence in organisational planning and management. Athletes have come to respect Austria for creating an atmosphere of charming hospitality that compliments its operational efficiency. Salzburg 2014 is committed to utilise this skill and experience to serve the Olympic Movement and become the finest winter partner possible for the IOC.
 

EVENT	LOCATION	DATE
ISU  Short Track World Championships	Vienna	1998
FIL  Luge World Championships	Schönau a. Königssee	1999
FIS  Nordic World Ski Championships	Ramsau a. Dachstein	1999
ISU  Figure Skating European Championships	Vienna	2000
FIS  Alpine World Ski Championships	St. Anton	2001
FIS  Alpine Ski World Cup Finals	Zauchensee, Flachau	2002
FIBT Bobsleigh / Skeleton World  Championships	Schönau a. Königssee	2004
IBU Biahtlon World Championships	Hochfilzen	2005
IIHF  Ice Hockey A - World Championships	Vienna / Innsbruck	2005
FIS World Cup Ski Jumping/        International 4 Hills Tournament	Bischofshofen	annual
FUTURE EVENTS
FIS Junior Alpine World Championships	Flachau / Zauchensee	2006
UCI  Road Cycling World Championships	Salzburg	2006
UEFA  Soccer European Championships	Salzburg (AUT and SUI)	2008

LEGACIES
In hosting the 2014 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, Salzburg would strive to achieve three significant legacies:

• In its bid and vision for the Games, Austria is seeking to elevate its tradition of ice sports, particularly figure-skating, speed skating, and curling, to a level of excellence commensurate with its established traditions in all other Olympic winter sports. Given Austria’s significant role in the world’s winter sport competitive circuit, the benefits of this legacy will extend to all of Europe and the world.
• The youth of the world are in transition. In Austria and across Europe interest and participation in competitive winter sports are waning as new outlets and activities draw youth away from traditional winter paths. In organising the Games, Salzburg would utilize its geographic centrality and its advanced media communications abilities to
  focus on emerging winter heroes and help to re-energise winter sports – nationally and internationally – in an effort to inspire the next generation to help recognise their destinies and take up the game of winter sport.
• In a broader perspective, beyond the host city and state, we believe Salzburg is uniquely positioned to strengthen the brand values of the Olympic Movement. As a recognized global centre of culture, Salzburg would use its impressive array of cultural resources and its creative imagination to strengthen worldwide awareness of the vital connection between sport and culture, reinforcing the Olympic Movement’s enduring commitment to make this link known through the celebration of every Olympiad.