Olympic critic Farrell impressed by IOC pitch
Coun. Druh Farrell has been one of city council’s most reliable skeptics about whether Calgary should bid to host the 2026 Olympic Games.
But following a meeting with a delegation from the International Olympic Committee on Wednesday, Farrell appeared to be warming to the possibility of a bid for the first time since the debate began.
“I heard some really reassuring language from the IOC,” Farrell told reporters. “I went into the meeting with some skepticism, but they did talk about fundamental change.
“Whether or not it’s the right decision for Calgary — I have yet to take this new information in and decide — but it was reassuring.”
Council members met with the IOC delegation privately for at least an hour Wednesday morning.
The IOC is in Calgary this week as part of a tour of cities that have expressed interest in bidding for the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Farrell and councillors Sean Chu, Peter Demong and Jeromy Farkas have all raised concerns about the costs associated with hosting the Games, and about the issues surrounding the governance of the IOC.
But on Wednesday, Farrell said council received some assurances on those points and the IOC promised more details were forthcoming in the next couple months on some “fundamental changes” being made within the organization.
“Even the fact that they came to Calgary on their volition at their own expense, that is new,” Farrell said. “Historically, the prospective city would wine and dine them, it would be first class, and the (city) would absorb the cost. That didn’t happen this time, that’s a shift.”
Coun. Gian-Carlo Carra, who was seated next to Farrell during Wednesday’s meeting, also remarked on his colleague’s shift in attitude — “she was nodding a lot” — and agreed the IOC presentation was “very reassuring.”
“I think that they have to change and I think that they expressed their commitment to that reality very clearly today,” Carra said.
“If it is possible to run the Games without losing our shirts, in a way that’s revenue-positive (and) that enhances and re-solidifies our Olympic legacy, I think we have to.”
But at least one other council skeptic hasn’t budged from his original position.
Farkas said his concerns remained unchanged following Wednesday’s meeting.
“I, for one, don’t think that enough has changed. I don’t think Calgary should be used as a guinea pig to see whether the IOC has actually reformed,” Farkas said. “I think we should take a step back, take a look at other cities taking this on and see if those efforts to reform the process have actually borne fruit.”
Last November, council approved another $2 million toward the city’s exploration of a bid for the 2026 Olympic Games.