Eighty seven per cent of Austrians are in favour of the Olympic Games coming to Salzburg, while 61 per cent of Salzburg residents also favour having the Games, according to a recent survey by Karmasin Marktforschung, the Austrian Gallup Institute.
In some of the federal states more than 90 per cent were in favour of hosting the Olympics.
The survey was carried out across the entire country.
Prof. Harald Pitters of Karmasin Marktforschung, who headed the survey said, “the data from this survey shows massive support among the people of Austria for holding the 2014 Winter Olympics in Salzburg. A clear majority of the residents of the city of Salzburg is also in favour of hosting the Winter Games. Both the general concept and the details of the bid are viewed favourably”.
The statement “the bid is just a waste of money” was also firmly rejected by Austrians with 83 per cent saying they think it is not a waste of money. In the city of Salzburg the figure was 67 per cent.
Meanwhile 70 per cent of Salzburg city residents agreed with the statement “having the Winter Olympics, the most important winter sport event there is, in Salzburg, would enhance the city’s reputation as a centre for sport, culture and tourism” while only 15 per cent disagreed.
