By Mike Rowbottom in Abu Dhabi

Franz_KlammerFebruary 7 - Franz Klammer (pictured), Austria's legendary downhill skier, believes the Winter Olympics have become so huge an enterprise that they are now beyond the reach of smaller countries, including his own, where he won his gold medal in 1976.


"I do not like the change in the Winter Games," Klammer told insidethegames here as he attended the Laureus World Sports Awards.

"It's getting bigger and bigger.

"When I won my downhill title at Innsbruck it was compact.

"There was a good Olympic feeling, not big distances.

"But now the Olympics have become so big that smaller countries do not have the chance to host them.

"It's supposed to be about sport. But sport comes last.

"That's what I do not like about where the Olympics go."

On the eve of the start of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Evaluation Commission visits to the potential hosts of the 2018 Games, 
Klammer asked: "How many countries can compete?

"The United States, Russia, Korea, China, Germany, France.

"That's about it.

"Austria will never have the chance to host the Olympic Games any more if it is so big."

Three cities are bidding for the 2018 Olympics and Paralympics - Annecy, Munich and Pyeongchang.

The IOC Evaluation Commission will begin their visits to the bid cities by visiting Annecy, an inspection that is due to start on Wednesday (February 9).

Franz_Klammer_Olympics_1976"It is 80 kilometres between Munich and the Alpine venue of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, although 80 kilometres not too bad," said Klammer.

"In Munich they will have very good venues.

"They really know how to host big events, and that's good for the athletes.

"This is the third time that Pyeongchang have bid for the Games.

"They have spent so much money, but they lost last time to Sochi.

"These would be their first Games, and maybe they will win this time.

"But I think the Games are looking a little bit out of proportion.

"They are getting too many sports.

"I also think the Olympics should be a test of the fastest and the strongest, especially in winter sports.

"Some venues have no good version of that.

"They are just a compromise.

"When I went to the 1984 Game [in Sarajevo] s the downhill course was more of a gliding course.

"It wasn't the fastest test.

"It is the athletes who make an Olympic Games.

"But it seems what is more important is to who is going to vote for whom. 

"It's bad for the sport."

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