Executive Summary
Switzerland is sending a total of 175 athletes to the Milano/Cortina 2026 Olympics, of whom 94 people (53.7%) are supported by the military as military athletes – a new record. Particularly noteworthy is the increase in female military athletes from 12 (2018) to 32 (2026), reflecting continuous professionalization of women's promotion in Swiss elite sports. Military elite sports promotion proved to be a decisive success factor in 2025: military athletes won 75% of all Swiss medals at World and European Championships.
People
Topics
- Olympic Winter Games Milano/Cortina 2026
- Swiss Elite Sports Promotion
- Military Support in Sports
Clarus Lead
94 of 175 Swiss Olympic athletes are promoted by the military as military athletes – a new record. This quota of 53.7% demonstrates the growing importance of military elite sports promotion for Switzerland's success rate. The doubling of female military athletes in eight years (from 12 to 32) signals a structural shift in gender parity in Swiss elite sports.
Clarus Original Analysis
Clarus Research: The share of military athletes has increased from 42.1% (2018) to 53.7% (2026) – a continuous professionalization curve across three Olympic Games. In 2025, military athletes generated over 100 medals at international competitions, accounting for 75% of Switzerland's total medal quota.
Classification: Military elite sports promotion has evolved from a niche solution to a core pillar of Swiss Olympic strategy. The doubling of female military athletes indicates a deliberate gender parity policy that goes beyond pure performance promotion.
Consequence: For decision-makers in sports management and defense policy, it becomes clear: the combination of military infrastructure (training, salary, income replacement) and athletic excellence is a scalable model. Over 70,000 service days in 2025 demonstrate the logistical performance of this structure.
Detailed Summary
The Swiss delegation for the Olympic Winter Games in Milano/Cortina (6–22 February 2026) consists of 175 athletes. Of these, 94 people (53.7%) are employed as military athletes with the Swiss Armed Forces or work in the elite sports recruit school program. This represents a new record high and underscores the growing role of military support.
The delegation is distributed across all 14 sports in which Swiss athletes participate. Among the military athletes are several athletes who have only recently completed their training (Debora Annen, Tim Annen, Omar Vögele in bobsleigh; Noe Näff in cross-country skiing; Vinzenz Buff in skeleton). Two additional athletes (Jonas Hasler and Sue Piller) will only be enlisted in April 2026 and therefore do not yet count toward the current military quota.
The share of women among military athletes has increased remarkably: in 2018 in South Korea there were 12 female military athletes (16.7% of Olympic military personnel), in 2022 in Beijing 23 women (27.1%), and now 32 women (34% of Olympic military personnel). This doubling over eight years signals a structural gender parity initiative.
Seven of the nine current winter part-time military elite athletes (50% employed by the military) have qualified for Milano/Cortina: Amy Baserga (biathlon), Livio Wenger (speed skating), Melanie Hasler (bobsleigh), Nadja Kälin (cross-country skiing), Natalie Maag (luge), Sina Siegenthaler (snowboard cross) and Talina Gantenbein (ski cross). Additionally, five athletes in the squad won medals in 2022: Corinne Suter (alpine skiing, downhill), Alex Fiva (ski cross), Marco Odermatt (alpine skiing, giant slalom), Ryan Regez (ski cross) and Jan Scherrer (snowboard halfpipe).
The effectiveness of elite sports promotion is evident in the 2025 balance sheet: military athletes won over 100 medals at World and European Championships and were thus involved in 75% of all Swiss medals. At international military competitions (CISM), they achieved 39 medals (a record). The number of service days was over 70,000 – also a record value.
Key Messages
- 94 of 175 athletes (53.7%) are military athletes – a new record high for a Swiss Olympic Games.
- Gender parity doubled: Female military athletes increased from 12 (2018) to 32 (2026); women's share from 16.7% to 34%.
- 75% of Swiss medals in 2025 won by military athletes; over 70,000 service days demonstrate scalability.
- All 14 sports represented: Military athletes are present in every discipline.
- Part-time military model successful: 7 of 9 winter part-time elite athletes participating.
Stakeholders & Affected Parties
| Benefits | Neutral/Observes | Risk |
|---|---|---|
| Swiss elite athletes (training, financing security) | Swiss population (tax financing) | Other military branches (resource allocation) |
| Swiss Armed Forces (prestige, attractiveness for recruits) | Swiss Olympic Committee (Swiss Olympic) | Non-militarized athletes (competitive disadvantage?) |
| International military competitions (CISM) | Swiss media landscape | Gender equity in other elite sports promotions |
Opportunities & Risks
| Opportunities | Risks |
|---|---|
| Scalability of the model (70,000+ service days possible) | Dependence on military budget and political priorities |
| Gender parity progress (34% women's share) | Possible criticism: militarization of sport |
| Medal quota stabilization (75% in 2025) | Brain drain: athletes leave military after Olympics |
| Attractiveness for young talent (salary + income replacement) | Integration challenges for part-time military personnel |
Relevance for Action
For Elite Sports Promoters:
- Evaluate whether the military model is transferable to other sports or countries.
- Monitor: retention rates of military athletes after Olympics; burnout rates from dual burden (military + sport).
For Defense Policy:
- Examine cost-effectiveness: 70,000 service days for 75% medal quota – ROI analysis required.
- Indicator: military attractiveness for recruits through elite sports visibility.
For Gender Policy:
- The doubling of female military athletes is a success, but 34% is not yet parity. Define target quota and measures.
Quality Assurance & Fact-Checking
- [x] Central statements and figures verified (Source: Federal press release)
- [x] Unverified data marked with ⚠️ (none)
- [ ] Web research for current data conducted – ⚠️ additional data on athlete biographies not available
- [x] Bias or political one-sidedness marked (none detected; text is official government communication)
Supplementary Research
⚠️ No additional sources available in metadata. Recommended research topics:
- Comparative data from other countries (France, Germany, Austria) on military elite sports promotion
- Long-term career data: where do military athletes work after the Olympics?
- Cost analysis: budget per athlete vs. medal return
- Gender parity in other Swiss elite sports promotions (non-military)
Bibliography
Primary Source:
Federal Government / State Secretariat for Defense (VBS) – Press Release of 29 January 2026: "Milano/Cortina 2026: Record Share Among Female and Male Military Athletes"
https://www.news.admin.ch/de/newnsb/UjsnJ3MQUKJhT3SeEc3ct
Verification Status: ✓ Facts checked on 29.01.2026
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This text was created with the support of Claude.
Editorial responsibility: clarus.news | Fact-checking: 29.01.2026
Note: This is an analysis of an official press release without additional external sources. For further information see "Supplementary Research".