This is the third in a series by Around the Rings analyzing the seven declared interested 2026 Olympic bidders announced by the IOC on Tuesday.
(ATR) "Stockholm has what it takes to host the best and most sustainable Winter Games," says Richard Brisius, CEO of the city’s campaign to host in 2026.
He explained to Around the Rings why the Swedish bid is so strong in comments following the IOC’s announcement of the seven countries officially entered in the dialogue phase of the process to choose a 2026 host.
"We have the capability. Our physical infrastructure is of the highest standard and 90 percent of the facilities are built and ready to go.
"We have the experience. Over the years we have hosted a huge range of major events and world championships in winter sports such as ice hockey, alpine skiing, cross country skiing, biathlon, curling, figure skating and many more."
"And we have the desire. Despite our capability and experience we have never had the honor to host an Olympic and Paralympic Winter Olympic Games."
Under the Stockholm 2026 plan, only two new venues need to be built – a speed skating arena and Nordic skiing track area. Both would be used for World Cup events following the 2026 Games, adding to the impressive list of sports to hold major events in Sweden.
But the key will be making sure the desire to host will include all the parties with a say in the project.
A year ago it looked like a Stockholm bid was dead after the city government refused to support it. But months of talks between the Swedish NOC and the various stakeholders, along with the IOC bidding reforms, resurrected the bid.
Brisius admitted to ATR in February that there is still work to be done but said he feels the pace of the new bidding process works well for both the IOC and the Stockholm bid.
"It is important to get all the key stakeholders with us," he said. "And we have big respect for the politicians and they are smart and they understand now how good this is and then we have the corporate world with us and sports world with us but we want to walk as much as in the same pace, everyone together. So this dialogue stage suits us perfectly."
One hurdle that a Stockholm bid is likely to avoid is a referendum to determine if the bid moves forward. Referendums are a rarity in Sweden.
There is a national election scheduled for September 9 but bid organizers should have a consensus by then, making the results a moot point ahead of the October decision by the IOC as to which bids make the candidature phase of the process. But if all political parties aren’t on board by the election, there could be a few tense weeks of haggling ahead of the IOC deadline.
This week Brisius reiterated that if it weren’t for the IOC reforms surrounding the bidding process, there wouldn’t be so many bidders interested in hosting the 2026 Winter Games.
"It is clear that for Stockholm - and I would argue that this applies also to other cities, as evidenced by the welcome presence of so many great cities among the bidders for 2026 - Agenda 2020, the New Norm and the much improved contribution from the IOC makes a decisive difference for any bidder, such as Stockholm, that wants to play a responsible part in the future of the Olympic Movement."
Written and reported by Gerard Farek
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