A celebration of international unity and excellence

The 5th Military World Winter Games of the Conseil International du Sport Militaire (CISM) are now history. 784 athletes from 42 nations took part in this major international sporting event. The organizing committee reflects positively on the Games and looks back on a successful week of competitions.

4/4/2025

Switzerland secures third place – strong home advantage and impressive performances

In the medal standings, France claimed first place with an outstanding overall performance, followed by Italy and Switzerland. The Swiss delegation delivered a particularly impressive performance, benefiting from the Army's elite sports support program. With a total of 20 medals (6 gold, 10 silver, and 4 bronze), Switzerland demonstrated its strength on home soil.

Commitment and collaboration: the key to success

An event of this scale would not have been possible without the dedicated support of numerous volunteers, partners, and organizations. Their efforts played a crucial role in ensuring the smooth execution of the 2025 Military World Winter Games, making it an unforgettable experience.

Thomas Süssli, Chief of the Swiss Armed Forces, emphasized:
“For the successful organization of these fifth Military World Winter Games, Switzerland has relied on the strengths of its militia army.”

Approximately 1,800 military personnel—including the Territorial Staff Battalion 2, the Headquarters Battalion 25, and specialists from the competence centers for sports, mountain service, logistics, medical support, communications, and military music—fulfilled their roles during the Games, significantly contributing to the success of this international sporting event.

The Chief of the Armed Forces also praised the excellent collaboration between the professional military and the militia, which played a vital role in Switzerland's strong performance.

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More than just sport – building bridges in challenging times

In an era of global political tensions, the Military World Winter Games have impressively demonstrated how sport can build bridges and unite nations. On and off the competition fields, there was a sense of unity, as if everyone belonged to a large, cohesive family. Division Commander Germaine Seewer, President of the Organizing Committee, emphasized that this spirit of togetherness is a particularly valuable conclusion to the Games and is one of the key goals of the Swiss delegation.

The integration of wounded soldiers was a core aspect of the event, further strengthening the sense of teamwork and solidarity. This important initiative was successfully implemented in close cooperation with PluSport, Switzerland's competence center for disabled sports.

A valuable contribution to promoting peace

Already, the Swiss Army looks back with pride on this successful event. Colonel Christian Hess, responsible for CISM Switzerland, summarized:
“The outstanding performances of our athletes have not only set athletic benchmarks but have also made a valuable contribution to promoting global peace. This commitment underscores that military elite sports are much more than just competition – they unite nations, build bridges, and strengthen the shared pursuit of peace and friendship.”

The Winter Games are an impressive testament to the international unity and athletic excellence that define military sport.

The 5th CISM Winter Military World Games concluded on Saturday, March 29, with a grand closing ceremony at the Lucerne Messe.