Olympics-Political backing coming for Stockholm 2026 bid – IOC

BERLIN (Reuters) – Stockholm’s bid for the 2026 wintry weather Olympics has political backing, the International Olympic Committee said on Tuesday beforehand of an assessment visit previous to the June vote.

Stockholm is competing towards an Italian bid of Milan and Cortina D’Ampezzo after other towns pulled out with issues over cost, size of the event, or competition from locals.

The Swedish task, which includes competitions within the Are ski resort, does now not have clear neighborhood and necessary authorities support yet, while the Stockholm metropolis government is concerned over ability use of taxpayers’ money.

But Christophe Dubi, Olympic Games Executive Director on the International Olympic Committee (IOC), stated the signals were “very reassuring” with regards respectable backing.

“The talks with every degree of the presidency are within the proper direction… We see very robust guide from the government,” he said in a conference name beforehand of next week’s IOC visit to Sweden.

Dubi stated a set of IOC reforms aimed toward lowering prices, creation and size among other components, were being enforced absolutely for the primary time with the 2 2026 Games bidders, and the bids were greater tailored to the local populace.

The Italian bid is going through similar troubles with a fragmented political assist in the intervening time.

Stockholm-Are 2026 bid CEO Richard Brisius said political backing was on track with the necessities of the IOC.

“We have acquired assurances within the maximum high-quality manner. The prime minister of Sweden became within the media some weeks in the past saying how he helps the task. It became echoed in all our discussions. It is all on the right track,” Brosius said on the same conference call.

“We have all the support asked at this stage.”