IOC to discuss ‘ candidature process’ on Fri

The top Olympics body said it would discuss the “candidature process” for bids on Friday, as speculation soars that the 2024 and 2028 Games may both be awarded this year.

The International Olympic Committee’s ( IOC) executive board added the entry as the last item on a revised agenda for Friday, the final day of its meeting in Pyeongchang, South Korea.

The idea of awarding two Games at once has gained currency after Budapest withdrew from the race for the 2024 Summer Games, leaving Paris and Los Angeles as the only bidders. With fewer major cities willing to embrace the Games’ multibillion dollar price tag, it has raised the prospect of the IOC possibly awarding the 2024 and 2028 hosting rights at a crunch vote in Lima, Peru on September 13.

Speculation has also arisen that the IOC could call an extraordinary session in July to allow members to vote on the new process. But a source close to the IOC said, “The next steps depend on the discussion tomorrow.”

Executive board members were reluctant to discuss the matter in detail on Thursday, although American Angela Ruggiero, chief strategy officer for LA 2024, said the campaign was solely focused on 2024.

“We’re ’ 24,” Ruggiero told AFP. “We’ve guaranteed contracts from the venues, from the state, from the city, the public support 88 percent. That’s all for the ’ 24 Games.”

IOC member Wu Chingkuo, previously an opponent of awarding both Games at once, appeared to have softened his stance when he said, “I think it’s a very exciting issue.

“Many unpredictable situations, so it’s very difficult to say anything now.”