Politics · Switzerland · 10 hrs ago
Seven Swiss federal figures share how sport fits into their lives
Switzerland’s Federal Department of Defence is holding a traditional sports reception to honour successful Swiss medal winners.
The occasion has also drawn attention to the sporting habits of seven current and former members of the Federal Council.
Their activities include football, handball, running, boxing, cycling and skiing.
Some say sport helps them clear their minds or balance the demands of political work.
Others describe how playing sport helped them build relationships across party lines or settle into a new community.
The profiles include people with backgrounds as competitive athletes, as well as those who exercise for personal discipline and fitness.
The reception is the next event mentioned, but no further plans are given.
A report profiles seven Swiss federal figures and how sport features in their lives.
Their activities range from football, running and handball to boxing, cycling and skiing.
The report says sport offers some of them a way to clear their minds or balance the demands of political work.
For Ruth Metzler-Arnold, sport also helped her settle in Appenzell and build a network.
The profiles include current and former federal councillors as well as Swiss Olympic president Metzler-Arnold.
- Who
- Seven Swiss federal figures: Beat Jans, Ruth Metzler-Arnold, Kurt Furgler, Karin Keller-Sutter, Ueli Maurer, Alain Berset and Adolf Ogi.
- What
- The report describes their sporting interests, activities and routines.
- When
- Published on 12 October 2026. The profiles describe activities and events spanning several decades.
- Where
- Switzerland, including locations such as Appenzell, St. Gallen, Lausanne and the Bundesplatz in Bern.
- Why
- Sport serves as exercise, a mental outlet, a social link or a source of discipline for the people profiled.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Kurt Furgler founded the handball section of TSV St. Otmar St. Gallen.
Furgler was elected to the Federal Council while recovering from meniscus surgery and wearing a cast.
Furgler opened the Handball World Championship in St. Gallen.
Alain Berset competed in the 800 metres at Athletissima in Lausanne.
Ueli Maurer took part in the Frauenfelder Waffenlauf.
Beat Jans played in a show match on Bern’s Bundesplatz.
- Profiles
- Seven Swiss federal figures
- Published
- 12 October 2026
- Swiss Olympic president
- Ruth Metzler-Arnold, since January 2025
- Furgler’s handball section
- Founded in 1942 at TSV St. Otmar St. Gallen
- Karin Keller-Sutter’s boxing
- She trains every Monday
- Ueli Maurer’s Waffenlauf
- Frauenfeld, 1996
Sources
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