Early days

The history of CST is closely linked to that of the foundation "Swiss National Donation for our Soldiers and their Families" (SNS). In November 1921, SNS set up an agricultural sanatorium in Tenero with the aim of rehabilitating wounded Swiss soldiers who were struggling with their health following the First World War. The theme of this sanatorium was: "Whoever kneels to the ground shall rise again".

Between 1922 and 1933, a total of 1,396 war invalids came to "La Cura" – an average of around 116 patients per year. The largest influx was recorded in 1932. During this year, the sanatorium took in 276 patients. 1,073 patients – 77% of all recovered guests, most of whom were admitted through the federal military insurance scheme – left the sanatorium after an average stay of 92 days.

From agriculture to sport
In 1963, the Swiss Federal Sports School Magglingen (ESSM) signed a partnership agreement with SNS for the free use of 3.6 hectares of land in Tenero – with the intention of running preliminary training courses in summer. The programme was built on the principle of active outdoor holidays and included swimming, orienteering, field sports and excursions in the region.
This partnership was so successful that SNS and ESSM concluded a contract in 1966 for the ownership, use and maintenance of the sports centre.

The National Youth Sports Centre was born
In 1996, SNS dissolved the management of the agricultural business. A large piece of land was sold to the federal government for a total of 12 million Swiss francs. ESSM, which became the Swiss Federal Institute of Sport Magglingen (SFISM) the following year, has been responsible for the management and administration of CST since 1997.