Future Oslo Bid for WOGs

[stryker]

I will preface this by saying this topic is similar to the what ifs for a prospective Munich WOGs.  One would think that if the IOC is serious about a permanent rotation of WOGs hosts that Norway would have to be under consideration with Oslo and Lillehammer the likely candidates. The trouble is, the IOC burned all the bridges with Norway, and Oslo in particular, in the 2022 race. Everyone knew it was Oslo's to lose when it came down to them and Beijing and Almaty. Meanwhile throughout the race, the likes of Munich, Krakow, and Switzerland all said no after referendums and the IOC's response was "we're disappointed but we still have excellent candidates left." But when Oslo dropped out, the IOC rained fire and brimstone on the Norwegians and even went as far as to claim the reasons for dropping the bid to be complete falsehoods. Since then, nothing. No attempt to mend fences from the IOC with Norway, a traditional sports powerhouse, and frankly, the Norwegians have no reason to approach the IOC either. One would think with the crisis the WOGs are in with the 2030 race that the IOC would be humble and at least talk to the Norwegians_

Having said all that, Oslo checks all the boxes for a sustainable low-cost bid with Lillehammer (The Olympic Village would be the biggest cost). I thought their 2022 bid was a good start but there are IMO even more options for cost savings with a couple venue changes. The 2022 bid called for ice hockey to be held at a new arena in Stubberud and the new Jordal Amfi Arena. Keep Jordal Amfi as the secondary ice hockey arena and move ice hockey to the Telenor Arena as the main venue. Telenor Arena under the 2022 bid was to host figure skating and short track. Move those events to Hakons Hall (hosted ice hockey in 1994) in Lillehammer. Oslo's 2022 bid called for speed skating to be held in Oslo at Valle Hovin with an enclosed roof. Given the financial costs of Milan-Cortina's similar proposal, move speed skating to Vikingskipet which hosted speed skating in 1994. Curling was to be held at a new arena in Lorenskog. Move curling to the Spektrum. The rest of the 2022 bid can stay the same. The question remains, does Norway want to even host or is the recent Lillehammer WYOGs what they view as the most sustainable and affordable at the moment.

[norseskijump]

I hope Norway decides to bid for the games again. In that case they should include ski flying in Vikersund at the programme.