STOCKHOLM LIKELY TO DROP OUT
Stockholm’s bid to host the 2026 Olympics is at risk only three days after the IOC formally approved the city among three candidates.
A new coalition deal announced Friday to run Stockholm’s city government — between a centre-right alliance and environmentalists — requires no taxpayer funding for a Winter Games.
“The starting point for all our parties has been to ensure that a Winter Olympics should not be on the taxpayers to pay for it,” coalition member Karin Ernlund said.
The International Olympic Committee said Friday it had “not yet had any official confirmation of
The starting point for all our parties has been to ensure that a Winter Olympics should not be on the taxpayers to pay for it.
the decision.”
If Stockholm drops out, the IOC will be left with Calgary and the combined Italian bid of Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo.
A vote of IOC members is scheduled in June, the Olympic body said Tuesday when formalizing the 2026 contest, though there is uncertainty for the entire field.
Calgary’s bid faces a Nov. 13 plebiscite, and full government support is also not guaranteed in Italy.
Amid widespread public concern at Olympic hosting costs, IOC vicepresident Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr. said this week, “We have to make a huge effort in explaining ourselves better.”
Stockholm could return for a bid for 2030 or beyond, city lawmakers said.
“It is missing a clear basis for a Winter Olympics right now,” said Anna Konig Jerlmyr of Sweden’s Moderate party, “but everyone wants to have it in the future so the question is when.” immediately saves about $100 million in Olympic spending, because a new venue wouldn’t be needed.
Friday’s provincial funding information was expected by Oct. 13, to give Calgarians time to consider this data before the vote on Nov. 13.
But the federal government never agreed to that timetable. Calgarians aren’t likely to see that number until much closer to the plebiscite.
There’s really not much mystery about Ottawa’s current position. Federal contribution is fixed by policy — dollar for dollar, or to put it another way, 50 per cent of the total public funding.
The province isn’t likely to modify its contribution. The Notley NDP has a very strong political motive for looking as frugal as possible. But it also can’t seem to be killing the bid.
In the end, Calgary’s challenge may be to stage the best Games, ever, for the least money spent in modern times.