The upcoming Olympic Games in Italy have faced backlash due to their fragmented nature, with events scheduled in various locations including Cortina, Milan, Bormio, and Antholz. This dispersion has led athletes to express their dissatisfaction, claiming it detracts from the atmosphere typically associated with the Olympics. Skirennläufer, in particular, have noted that the experience resembles more of a World Cup event rather than the unique Olympic spirit they anticipated.

Athletes like Marco Odermatt and Franjo von Allmen highlighted that there is little excitement being derived from competing in isolated venues, echoing sentiments from their German counterparts. The absence of traditional Olympic camaraderie and festivities has impacted their overall competition experience, prompting critiques directed towards the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Some athletes even went as far as to suggest that the organization of these events has not met the high standards expected of Olympic credentials.

The head coach of the German men's ski team, Christian Schwaiger, reinforced this perspective by stating that the Olympics seem to have lost a significant aspect of their identity. This situation raises questions about the future of the Olympic Games and how they are staged, while also pointing to the need for more cohesive planning to ensure the preservation of the Olympic spirit as it relates to athlete experience and audience engagement.