CEO tapped for Calgary’s 2026 Winter Games bid

CALGARY — Mary Moran’s job has been to bring economic stimulants to Calgary. She’s about to tackle the mother of all projects.

She’s taking a leave as head of Calgary Economic Development to become chief executive of the team exploring a bid for the 2026 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“I’ve spent the last 10 years looking for opportunities for Calgary,” Moran said Tuesday. “I view the Olympics as another opportunity. It’s a very big one, but it is another opportunity.”

If Calgary gives the green light to pursuing 2026, Moran will be the first woman in Canada to champion a bid.

There are hurdles for Moran to clear, however, before the city will declare itself in the race. A plebiscite is scheduled for later this year.

The Calgary 2026 bid corporation has been up and running for just over six weeks and has just begun taking on the work and analysis done by city administration and consultants.

City council is demanding to know by Sept. 10 how much the Alberta and Canadian governments will contribute to hosting the games

“I would just ask them for patience. I would also ask city council for patience,” Moran said.

“I’m not about to lead this city or this province or this country down a path where we’re going to make a bad decision. They have my commitment to that.”

The cost of bidding for 2026 has been estimated at $30 Mary million — with Moran the city, provincial and federal governments splitting the cost.

An initial estimate on hosting was $4.6 billion, although the International Olympic Committee has committed to contributing US$925 million (CDN$1.2 billion) in cash and services since then.

Calgary 2026 will pay her an undisclosed base salary with two performance bonuses — one for a successful plebiscite and another for a successful bid.