Bern, Press releases, 02.03.2010

After the Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver, the organisers of the two "Houses of Switzerland Canada 2010" have said that they were a great success. 60,000 guests enjoyed the Swiss atmosphere at the Vancouver and Whistler locations.

The figures underline the popularity of the Houses of Switzerland in Vancouver and in Whistler. 60,000 guests visited the two locations between the opening ceremony on 5 February and the closing ceremony on 28 February. 1,700 fans registered on the Facebook account. The two locations where a hub for the Swiss Olympic team, sponsors and partners and were also a meeting point for fans. TV stations SRG SSR idée suisse also set up their anchor studio in Vancouver. 

The two Houses were visited not only by Swiss fans but also by Canadians. "There was great friendship between the Swiss and the Canadian fans" said Manuel Salchli, director of the House of Switzerland Canada 2010. The mood in the Vancouver and Whistler locations was excellent. Guests were able to follow the competitions live on giant screens. The highlights were the Swiss medal ceremonies, which were quite frequent in these games, thanks to the six gold and three bronze medals that Switzerland won.  

Culinary aspects of Switzerland were not neglected either. The Swiss cheese specialities raclette and fondue were highly popular. Four tons of Swiss cheese and 2 tonnes of chocolate were consumed.

Switzerland was one of the first countries to take up the tradition of the Nation House at the Olympic Games. It established a House of Switzerland at the Nagano Games in 1998. The meeting points in Vancouver and Whistler were set under the responsibility of Presence Switzerland, part of the General Secretariat of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs. Presence Switzerland supports and promotes Swiss interests abroad. The public subsidy of CHF 1.5 million for the entire project was approved by the Federal Council.


Further information:

Official website of the House of Switzerland at the Olympic Games


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