2030 Olympic Winter Games Bids

[Quaker2001]

13 minutes ago, AustralianFan said:

Re 2030 Update - Gamesbids thread: IOC EB Meeting - Mumbai

A 2030 update has been flagged for 13 October’s press conference following discussion by the EB.

I would like to hope that will be on the agenda and not just something that's being discussed in office rooms out of sight of the public

[AustralianFan]

4 minutes ago, Quaker2001 said:

I would like to hope that will be on the agenda and not just something that's being discussed in office rooms out of sight of the public

It’s on the agenda for discussion by the EB for sure on Day 2, as flagged at the Day 1 press conference.

 

 

[Quaker2001]

4 hours ago, stryker said:

At this point I think 2030 is France's to lose. If the IOC had confidence in Sweden they would've awarded them the Olympics by now but Sweden has two major things going against it, public support (one skeptical poll) and the fact Sweden's economy has just tanked (Sweden is in recession) means PR support is likely much lower.

France has almost everything ready to go. It's worth noting Lyon is currently building a new 17000 seat arena (one that could easily be used for ice hockey or figure skating). There's Palais des Sports in Grenoble. Neither of the Albertville indoor arenas could be used as both had their capacities reduced significantly after the 1992 WOGs. The only potential problematic venue other than an Olympic Village is a speed skating oval and Oval Lingotto in nearby Turin can more than handle it. My guess is the IOC is simply waiting for the French to get everything lined up. If they can't then Salt Lake gets the call. There are no other credible bids left.

It's amazing to think how a bid that is hardly fully formed and didn't exist only a few months ago could be the front-runner.  Yet, here we are.

[Bear]

Well... a double award at Paris 2024 is very likely now: https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1141684/ioc-double-award-2030-2034

That means Salt Lake is pretty much set to get 2034, and one of the European bids will get 2030.

[AustralianFan]

SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTS

Source:  IOC Press Conference - 13 Oct 23 - youtube - IOC Media

• Future Games
• 2030 and 2034 Double Allocation

 

IOC President, Thomas Bach, 13/10/23:

“The Future Host Commission for the Olympic Winter Games (FHCOWG) was asked previously by the Executive Board to evaluate the future allocation of Olympic Winter Games based on two main criteria:

Criterion 1

“For sustainability reasons, future Winter Games hosts should have a target of using only existing or temporary venues.”

Criterion 2

“Proposed snow competition venues should be Climate Reliable until at least the middleof this century.”

———————————————-

UPDATE to EB, 13/10/23:

“The following two studies were commissioned by the FHCOWG:”

1. “the number of NOCs which have existing I.F. home located venues,”
2. “check if these existing venues were Climate Reliable until at least the middle of this century.”

“Today, the FHCOWG provided the first results of these studies.

• 15 NOCs on 3 continents have at least 80% of existing venues,
• 9 of these 15 NOCs have the required venues for Snow Sports,
• 10 of these 15 NOCs have either recently hosted or are interested in hosting the Games in the future
• By 2040, 2 of these 15 NOCs will no longer have the necessary Climate Reliability for the Olympic Winter Games held in Februrary,
• By 2040, 5 of these 15 NOCs will no longer have Climate Reliability for the Paralympic Winter Games held in March,
• This means:  By 2040, there are only 10 NOCs which are Climate Reliable to host Snow Events for both the Winter Games in February and the Paralympic Winter Games in March.”

“It becomes very clear that we need to address urgently the dramatic impact of Climate Change on winter sports and the Winter Games.”

“The FHCOWG has already started to address this very concerning situation.”

“This implies deliberations on a Rotating System, the composition of the sports program, the different needs of sports on ice and snow and many others.

“As you all can see, this is a very complex issue and needs more time to addrss these properly.  This cannot be done in the next 6 or 12 months.”

“This is one of the reasons, if not the main reason, why the FHCOWG is proposing to get the opportunity for a double allocation for 2030 and 2034, if all conditions are met, in order to have more time time to address the dramatic impact of Climate Change.”

“The IOC EB gave the FHCOWG the green light to pursue such a double allocation and will put this question for further discussion to the IOC Session here in Mumbai.”

Proposed Targeted Dialogue / Double Allocation Host Election Timeline

1. The FHCOWC give the EB by the end of October/November 2023 Targeted Dialogue recommendations,
2. the EB to decide in Novevember on the Targeted Dialogue recommendations,
3. Host Elections for 2030 and 2034 to occur at an “IOC Session in 2024”

Note:  it’s interesting to note that the “Paris 2024 IOC Session” was not specifically named by Bach as to when the double 2030 and 2034 elections would be held, only that it is proposed to be at “an IOC Session in 2024.”

I’m about to listen to journalist’s questions and might get more clarity on this.

[AustralianFan]

58 minutes ago, AustralianFan said:

Note:  it’s interesting to note that the “Paris 2024 IOC Session” was not specifically named by Bach as to when the double 2030 and 2034 elections would be held, only that it is proposed to be at “an IOC Session in 2024.”

I’m about to listen to journalist’s questions and might get more clarity on this.

Just heard all the journalists questions and IOC EB’s answers around the Host Election Timeline and, even with several opportunities to do so, the IOC did not specifically name the Paris Session as the Double Host Election Session, only referring to the “IOC Session” in 2024.

I guess this is to cater for the possibility for France to be elevated to Targeted Dialogue and to avoid the situation where a Host Election is held in the actual country of the actual candidate, which I understand that IOC rules do not allow.

• If France was to be elevated to Targeted Dialogue for 2030, then the IOC would likely need to schedule an extraordinary IOC Session to avoid the Host Election being held in France.
• If a non-France candidate was elevated (eg Sweden or Switzerland), then the Host Election could be held at the regular Paris 2024 Session.

So now it all depends on who will be elevated to Targeted Dialogue by the next IOC EB Meeting 28 Nov - 1 Dec 2023.

 

[Bear]

We all know that 2034 is a given for Salt Lake City, but do we have any hopes, thoughts, theories, etc. on who will get 2030? I hope it's Sweden, but public support will be key for the next month or so.

[stryker]

12 hours ago, Bear said:

We all know that 2034 is a given for Salt Lake City, but do we have any hopes, thoughts, theories, etc. on who will get 2030? I hope it's Sweden, but public support will be key for the next month or so.

Sweden is in recession. The Olympics will be a hard sell to the public. Switzerland's issues with referendums have been discussed ad nauseam. Vancouver and Sapporo are both dead bids. That leaves France.

It's deja vu all over again for the IOC as this race or more of a mess is a repeat of 2017 when the IOC opted for a double to Paris and LA. The WOGs are in crisis and are dying o  the vine and the IOC has yet to figure it out. While the climate crisis is very real, the PR problem is still very much at the forefront but the IOC is in complete denial on that one.

[Quaker2001]

45 minutes ago, stryker said:

Sweden is in recession. The Olympics will be a hard sell to the public. Switzerland's issues with referendums have been discussed ad nauseam. Vancouver and Sapporo are both dead bids. That leaves France.

It's deja vu all over again for the IOC as this race or more of a mess is a repeat of 2017 when the IOC opted for a double to Paris and LA. The WOGs are in crisis and are dying o  the vine and the IOC has yet to figure it out. While the climate crisis is very real, the PR problem is still very much at the forefront but the IOC is in complete denial on that one.

I just continue to wonder what they're thinking/saying behind the scenes on this one.  Is there some ace in the hole they have that they're not telling everyone about?  Otherwise it seems like they're just kicking the can down the road and each day that passes, it'll be more difficult for the eventual host city, whoever that is, to be able to pull things together.

[FYI]

2 hours ago, stryker said:

That leaves France.

It's deja vu all over again for the IOC as this race or more of a mess is a repeat of 2017 when the IOC opted for a double to Paris and LA.

Ohh, hadn’t looked at it that way yet. But yeah, the irony there lol. Since France, seemingly the less likely of them all, due to the simple fact that they have their hands very full with Paris 2024 ATM, seems like the most likely when compared to Sapporo, Vancouver, Switzerland & Sweden. 

2 hours ago, stryker said:

While the climate crisis is very real, 

Oh, no, no, no. Where did you get that idea from. That’s still another “50 years” down the road! 

[AustralianFan]

@Australian Kiwi  

1 hour ago, Australian Kiwi said:

Concerning to read between the lines that the Salt Lake 2034 application is growing impatient with the New Norm process. Sounds like poor engagement processes on the part of the IOC:
 

The double allocation seems more likely to appease the United States’ bid from Salt Lake City that is targeting 2034 instead of 2030 to distance it from the Los Angeles 2028 Summer Games to maximize revenue potential. However Salt Lake City bid chair Fraser Bullock told Sports Business Journal this week that he needs some indication that his bid is on the right track before the opportunity gets stale.

“Fortunately, the people of Utah are very supportive of the Olympics and Paralympics. However, holding that interest indefinitely would be incredibly challenging. That’s why we are hoping for progress this year,” he said.

 

Thomas Bach, 13/10/23:

Proposed Targeted Dialogue / Double Allocation Host Election Timeline

1. The FHCOWC gives the EB by the end of October/November 2023 Targeted Dialogue recommendations for 2030 and 2034,
2. the EB to decide in November on the Targeted Dialogue recommendations,
3. Host Elections for 2030 and 2034 to occur at IOC Session in 2024

(see above for press conference link)

[AustralianFan]

correction:  FHCOWG - Future Host Commission Olympic Winter Games

[Australian Kiwi]

6 hours ago, Quaker2001 said:

I just continue to wonder what they're thinking/saying behind the scenes on this one.  Is there some ace in the hole they have that they're not telling everyone about?  Otherwise it seems like they're just kicking the can down the road and each day that passes, it'll be more difficult for the eventual host city, whoever that is, to be able to pull things together.

Also alarming to read Salt Lake City's bid team more or less express frustration at being left in a holding pattern. 

Must be difficult to say "hey - we have what it takes and will help you with your problem" only for the IOC to say "OK great - but bear with us in case something better comes along" < This is the essence of the New Norm. 

[Australian Kiwi]

1 hour ago, AustralianFan said:

@Australian Kiwi  

 

Thomas Bach, 13/10/23:

 

Proposed Targeted Dialogue / Double Allocation Host Election Timeline

1. The FHCOWC gives the EB by the end of October/November 2023 Targeted Dialogue recommendations for 2030 and 2034,
2. the EB to decide in November on the Targeted Dialogue recommendations,
3. Host Elections for 2030 and 2034 to occur at IOC Session in 2024

(see above for press conference link)

So 2034 should be fine if it ends up in SLC's hands. 

But 2030 should now be concerning everyone. Its potentially in the lap of a European host with 5.5 years preparation time at the earliest.  As the 2026 Commonwealth Games debacle shows us - without the luxury of time money becomes the primary lever in which to pull things together. My concern is that there will be cost overruns whether its in Switzerland, France or Sweden. If the pockets aint deep and public support is thin, then I am genuinely concerned we may see a host withdraw only years out from the event leaving the IOC with no viable way to stage the event in 2030. 
 

I'll said it again, astounding that they spent their time an energy in 2020/21 finding a host for 2032 when the 2030 event was the one that needed focus and arguably was the trickier dilemma. 2032 should have been decided in Paris next year, not the Winter Olympics. We would have very realistically had multiple viable options for 2032 (including Brisbane) if they had waited longer and focused on 2030 instead.

They've made a serious, serious error of judgement with this. 

 

[stryker]

8 hours ago, Quaker2001 said:

I just continue to wonder what they're thinking/saying behind the scenes on this one.  Is there some ace in the hole they have that they're not telling everyone about?  Otherwise it seems like they're just kicking the can down the road and each day that passes, it'll be more difficult for the eventual host city, whoever that is, to be able to pull things together.

I've wondered the same thing as well. When you say "ace in the hole" my thinking is there's another candidate out there that is unnamed and can be ready to step in for 2030 at a moment's notice and if I was a gambling man, my money is on Beijing. No referendums, no need to worry about cobbling cash together. Cost overruns? Who cares? Literally all Beijing would need is an Olympic Village and with all the empty housing in China due to the real estate crisis that ticks that box.

Now having said all that, I still think France is in line for 2030 provided they can get everything together in a short period of time and they can award a double at the Paris Olympics next year. Yes I know about the Olympic Charter and election of host cities, but this is the IOC we are talking about. Like FIFA they can the rules as they see fit, heck, they could make a double award tomorrow if they wanted to.

[Quaker2001]

2 hours ago, Australian Kiwi said:

Also alarming to read Salt Lake City's bid team more or less express frustration at being left in a holding pattern. 

Must be difficult to say "hey - we have what it takes and will help you with your problem" only for the IOC to say "OK great - but bear with us in case something better comes along" < This is the essence of the New Norm. 

It's definitely an indication that the IOC clearly doesn't know what they're doing with 2030.  Because if they did, they could say to the Salt Lake folks, even behind closed doors, that they're good for 2034, but they want to wait until they have a 2030 host before they make it official.  Obviously that's not the case and the IOC continues to drag their feet with the 2030 decision and who knows what their expectations are at this point.  Clearly they think there's a candidate out there or else they'd have handed it to SLC a long time ago, financial issues be damned, and then worried about 2034 at a later date.  

[Sigh]

Apart from the many questions about public and political support in Sweden we have the minor issue that SOK still has no ready proposal (and thus no budget). Perhaps it will be ready by late November. That means that it's unlikely to be ready before IOC names with whom to have targeted dialogue, if a recent article here is correct.

[Australian Kiwi]

5 minutes ago, Sigh said:

Apart from the many questions about public and political support in Sweden we have the minor issue that SOK still has no ready proposal (and thus no budget). Perhaps it will be ready by late November. That means that it's unlikely to be ready before IOC names with whom to have targeted dialogue, if a recent article here is correct.

So Sweden a possible non starter then?

Switzerland concerns me with referendum culture. 

France seems like an option but the proposal seems so spread out, I'm concerned of the logistics of carrying it out. That takes some planning! 

[iceman530]

So SLC getting impatient, they're basically telling the IOC "no later than 2034 or we are done".  No way in hell the IOC is saying no to that unless Saudi Arabia brings insane amounts of cash to the party (I joke, only halfway though after reading the World Cup 2034 stuff).  

The IOC is strangely confident of 2030 now.......they have a patsy, and I think it's France.  They really lucked out backing into that bid.  That was extremely fortunate, and they are not going to let that one pass them by. 

It gives them some time to sort out situations in the future for 2038, and with the way the world is going by then, who the hell knows whats going to transpire before then:  Lviv/Carpathia paid for by Russian war reparations?  Almaty and Kazakhstan could be more stable by then (or not).  Harbin, Sapporo, etc.

[Quaker2001]

43 minutes ago, stryker said:

I've wondered the same thing as well. When you say "ace in the hole" my thinking is there's another candidate out there that is unnamed and can be ready to step in for 2030 at a moment's notice and if I was a gambling man, my money is on Beijing. No referendums, no need to worry about cobbling cash together. Cost overruns? Who cares? Literally all Beijing would need is an Olympic Village and with all the empty housing in China due to the real estate crisis that ticks that box.

Now having said all that, I still think France is in line for 2030 provided they can get everything together in a short period of time and they can award a double at the Paris Olympics next year. Yes I know about the Olympic Charter and election of host cities, but this is the IOC we are talking about. Like FIFA they can the rules as they see fit, heck, they could make a double award tomorrow if they wanted to.

I've said it before and I'll say it again.. it's not Beijing.  The IOC (I presume) would award 2030 to Salt Lake before they went down that road.

[StefanMUC]

2 hours ago, Australian Kiwi said:

 

France seems like an option but the proposal seems so spread out, I'm concerned of the logistics of carrying it out. That takes some planning! 

No more spread out than 2026, or a nationwide Swiss bid, let alone Stockholm/Åre plus sliding track in another country.

[Quaker2001]

5 hours ago, StefanMUC said:

No more spread out than 2026, or a nationwide Swiss bid, let alone Stockholm/Åre plus sliding track in another country.

The IOC is in desperate straits at this point.  They showed with 2026 that a spread out bid using existing facilities is no longer something they're going to reject.  If France wants to go that route and propose a bid that stretches from Marseille or Lyon up into the Alps, let them go that route if they think it'll get a deal done.  At this point, the IOC needs to be adaptable if they want to make the Winter Olympics a viable product.

[baron-pierreIV]

Maybe 2030 will be a, alpahbetically,  France-Latvia-Sweden-Switzerland 2030 Games?? 

[SportLightning]

9 hours ago, baron-pierreIV said:

Maybe 2030 will be a, alpahbetically,  France-Latvia-Sweden-Switzerland 2030 Games?? 

Maybe, but we'll see. Stockholm-Are could be the primary host, while France, Latvia and Switzerland would have two venues each.

[Sigh]

9 hours ago, baron-pierreIV said:

Maybe 2030 will be a, alpahbetically,  France-Latvia-Sweden-Switzerland 2030 Games?? 

I believe that this site is the only one where Latvia is still seriously considered. SOK apparently went cold on the idea after the Riga meeting in March. Since then they have only mentioned Sigulda in the most vague terms, such as "Hamar, Sigulda or some other site".