Snowboarders threaten to switch flags in cash row
 

United Arab Emirates?

http://www.swissinfo.org/sen/swissin...05&sid=4676326


Four leading Swiss snowboarders, including an Olympic champion, are
threatening to race for other countries, citing a lack of funding in
Switzerland.

They have written to the United Arab Emirates, Liechtenstein,
Luxembourg, Oman and Malta asking for citizenship – and
sponsorship.
.....

Cash shortfall

According to Eiselin, Switzerland’s snowboarders receive only
SFr4,000 ($3,200) per year from the federation, plus some sponsorship
and prize money. They say they have to finance the rest of their
travel and training costs themselves.

“We have to pay to race for Switzerland,” he said.

They want the Swiss Olympic Association to increase this allowance to
SFr30,000 a year – a sum, they say, which is still a drop in the
ocean compared with rival teams on the professional circuit.
.....