2038 Winter Olympic Bids (break open if Switzerland snuffs it)

[Sir Rols]

Here we go, a dedicated thread if “Privileged Dialogue” doesn’t deliver.

Edited December 4, 2023 by Sir Rols

[AustralianFan]

More reports on implications and re-positioning of bids in the wake of last week’s IOC EB Announcements.

 

Sapporo Looking to be “Plan B” if Switzerland 2038 Fails

“The Japanese, for their part, are already looking to the future without trying to hide their game. The IOC Executive Board’s decision to select the French Alps and Salt Lake City to continue the “targeted dialogue” for 2030 and 2034, with a double award announced at the Paris session next July, stifles Sapporo’s ambitions in the medium term.”

“However, the Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC) could position itself as Plan B should Switzerland fail in its bid to win the 2038 event. Its Secretary General, Ogata Mitsugi, told the Japanese media on Thursday November 30 that the IOC Executive Board’s decision had not really been anticipated, especially for the Winter Games in 2038.”

“The Japanese leader said it was impossible for Sapporo, in its current configuration, to continue discussions with the IOC for the 2038 Winter Games. But he assured that the JOC would support Sapporo’s efforts and approach, for 2038 or beyond, “in every way possible.“

Source: Francs Jeux.com

[venuedesignlover]

On 12/4/2023 at 1:08 AM, Sir Rols said:

a dedicated thread if “Privileged Dialogue” doesn’t deliver

Sapporo 2042?

[iceman530]

Sapporo would be a great backup option, or even 2042 option.   Great to have an insurance policy at the ready if that can happen.

[Mr.M15ter]

Who do I think? Sapporo, Munich, possibly Stockholm, maybe Almaty. I don't know what right or ability the IOC has to approach certain countries/cities (like the Commonwealth Games Federation did in approaching Malaysia about hosting the 2026 CG). If they did have that right, my list would be notably longer.

[Sigh]

54 minutes ago, Mr.M15ter said:

Who do I think? Sapporo, Munich, possibly Stockholm, maybe Almaty. I don't know what right or ability the IOC has to approach certain countries/cities (like the Commonwealth Games Federation did in approaching Malaysia about hosting the 2026 CG). If they did have that right, my list would be notably longer.

SOK cliamed that their bid was in response to a initiative from IOC so this has been done but without any sweetener.

As we have learnt over the last year: "Anything goes" when it suits the fourletter man and cronies.

Thus, sweeteners can't be ruled out.

[intoronto]

Was there ever a proposed venue plan released?

[Sigh]

There was but that one is irrelevant now.

The Swiss Olympic approach was to spread the games over many sites. EB deemed that unacceptable and one of the requirements associated with the new bidding status was to concentrated the games to no more than five clusters. No new plans with this limitation has been presented. It would have been surprising if it had since there is a lot of work and "preparing the ground" to be done. In practise Swiss Olympic is preparing a completely new bid from scratch. The time limit is the end of 2027.

[iceman530]

Sapporo would be the heavy favorite for a patsy if something were to go through with switzerland.

Almaty must not be much of a thought now because the IOC didn't so much as give them a ring even during the candidate crisis of 2030.  I think that speaks volumes.  Theyre not Erzurum, but they seem to be close (which is crazy because they tied beijing in first vote in 2022 so there is at least some intrigue there)

[Sigh]

Possibly but there are a number of question marks regarding Sapporo.

1. The corruption scandal (re 2020/1) will eventually fade away but the question is how long "eventually" is. Japan's olympic comittee is lying low fro the time being.

2. The mayor of Sapporo have been the driving force for the bid(s). In the last election he was opposed that together took away a large slice of his usual majority despite heavy political support from all the main parties. Why: The single issue was that they opposed the olympic games. The question is if he is willing to spend even more political capital on this.

3. The mayor is getting old. By 2038 he will well into his 80s. Will he even run in the elections 2027?

4. The (young) governor of Hokkaido has notably cooled on the idea.

 

None of these things is by itself a absolute block to the WOGs but combined ,,, I'm sceptical.

[iceman530]

I know Almaty experienced some significant instability and riots in 2022 at a time right when the Olympics were about to kick off.  But 14 years is a long time.........Maybe Kazakhstan will be able to be in more position to put something together in that time?  I feel they could be another "break glass in case of emergency" option if god forbid one is needed in 2038.  Things certainly need to change in that period of time.......... but again, 14 years is a hell of a long time to get things right and sorted out.  Hopefully that can happen.

[FYI]

While 14 years does seem like a long time to sort things out under normal conditions, but if the IOC is now in a habit of awarding Games at least 10 years out, that means any country interested in 2038 has to have many things sorted out by now. And since the IOC has given Switzerland 'til 2027 to "sort out" their stuff, that's how long basically anyone else also has, so not really 14 years.

And as far as the 2022 vote goes, there was no "tie". Apparently, there was a technical problem with the electronic voting tablets being used to cast the votes with. There was some sort of "inconsistencies", & therefore it was decided that the vote would be done manually on paper ballots. And the final result was Beijing the winner of the 2022 Winter Olympics. Go figure.

 

[Sigh]

A very tongue in the cheek suggestion: French Alpes. After the elections in 2027 France should have a working government.

(Of course this will never happen. The four-letter man will bend every rule there is if necessary to ensure the 2030 games)

 

Always nice to see my old quarter in Paris. I lived slightly to the left of the middle of the picture. I had a nice walk every morning to the embassy (just behind Invalides).

[Sigh]

In August/early September Swiss media reported about pressure from IOC for signals of political support in Switzerland, even if not any formal commitments, for the 2038 games. Presumably already in September. One site also reported that

A la mi-septembre, le Conseil fédéral discutera du projet de Jeux olympiques et paralympiques d'hiver 2038 et fera connaître sa position de principe.

Since then I have not been able to find anything at all about political support in Swiss media nor any mention of any such discussion having taken place. Does anyone have any updated information?