(ATR) The Swedish Olympic Committee tells Around the Rings that a study is ongoing to determine the potential of a 2026 bid by Stockholm.
A spokesperson says the Swedish NOC will report back to all stakeholders in early October.
The Swedish NOC has been steadfast in its belief that a bid by Stockholm is still possible despite the announcement by the city’s government on April 26 that the Swedish capital was bowing out.
There has been no indication of a change of heart from the city government since then.
A potential game-changer could be the International Olympic Committee’s proposal to alter the process for choosing Olympic host cities beginning with the 2026 Winter Games.
The proposals, revealed earlier this month by IOC President Thomas Bach, are designed to significantly lower the cost of bidding by shortening the bidding process from two years to one year and by having the IOC "be more proactive in assisting and supporting cities" from the time they begin thinking about a bid.
The Swedish NOC tells ATR that Stockholm 2026 has already taken part in seminars with the IOC that have cleared up questions regarding both affordability and the amount of IOC assistance under the new plan.
The seminars have "helped our process with other stakeholders" according to a Swedish NOC spokesperson, who says the NOC will be following closely what happens in Lausanne on July 11-12 when the changes will be put forward at the Extraordinary IOC Session.
In April, the uncertainty over the cost of hosting a Winter Games was cited by the Stockholm city government as a reason for not pursuing a bid.
A feasibility study conducted by the city council revealed in January that an Olympic bid by the Swedish capital "is both possible and desirable".
Stockholm’s 2022 bid was derailed by a lack of political support and financial guarantees for a campaign led by the country’s sporting movement. The city has never hosted the Winter Olympics.
So far, Switzerland is the only country that has officially entered the 2026 race with a bid centered in Sion. Former Winter Olympic host cities Innsbruck, Calgary, Lillehammer and Sapporo are also seriously considering a bid.
The 2018 and 2022 Winter Games are in Asia, making Europe or North America a more likely spot for 2026.
Written by Gerard Farek
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