The executive is running out of time: double the simultaneous commitment to the games. Swiss hypothesis for 2038, Sweden still rejected
To Milan-Cortina 2026, French Alps 2030. And to French Alps 2030, Salt Lake City/Utah 2034. The future of the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games is outlined. The IOC made this determination in Paris during the first of three days of meetings of its executive branch. This is just a strong “recommendation,” not a final decision. But it’s as if it were. Since the two locations are currently the only ones in the running. The official order is expected to arrive at the end of July on the occasion of the 142nd Congress of the International Olympic Committee, which will also take place in the transalpine capital on the eve of the Summer Games. “The IOC – explained Karl Stoss, a 67-year-old Austrian, former president of the National Olympic Committee and current head of the Future Venues Commission – will now enter into a detailed discussion with the selected venues.” And he added: “For We will continue a privileged dialogue with Switzerland in the 2038 edition.”
Defeats
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The Swiss country itself is one of the disappointed ones of the day. The other – after the withdrawal of Japan’s Sapporo last month – again (the ninth) is Sweden with Stockholm. Both were candidates for 2030. Both were postponed or rejected “particularly due to only partial support from the government and citizens as well as a not entirely convincing facility plan,” said Stoss. For Sweden, a country that, despite its great tradition, has never hosted the Winter Games, after the cold rain of 2019 and the defeat against Milan-Cortina, it is another failure. What is surprising is the timing of the decision: although the discussion on this issue was the most anticipated on the agenda, it was not believed that the IOC would be able to fully express itself just yet. And if Salt Lake City/Utah’s 2034 funding was somehow predictable, that of the French Alps’ 2030 was only up to a certain point, given the competition.
arm-in-arm
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This is the second time the IOC has decided on a double, simultaneous award. The first time was in 2017, when in a summer key he attributed the 2024 edition to Paris and the 2028 edition to Los Angeles. This is where the France-USA axis lies. Both countries will experience two Olympic Games in six years. In both cases it is also a “return to the future”. The French Alps, with Albertville at its center, hosted the 1992 Games. Salt Lake City and its surrounding areas hosted the 2002 Games. The transalpine event, the fourth in the winter after Chamonix in 1924 and Grenoble in 1968, will host Meribel, Courchevel and Val d’ as its central areas Isere for alpine skiing, La Clusaz for Nordic skiing and Nice for ice sports (and the main village). It remains to be seen where the ice hockey structure and long track will be built. Regarding the latter, Stoss said: “It could be temporary or abroad.” A surreal suggestion? The Lingotto in Turin… Speaking of Italian connections: The possible and yet to be proven connection with St. Moritz dies before birth. Salt Lake City, Utah will be safer: The revamped venues and facilities will largely be the same as in 2002, with opening and closing ceremonies at the University of Utah football stadium and figure and short track at the Jazz Arena “Nba”.
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