(ATR) The city of Innsbruck and the Austrian Olympic Committee (OOC) are teaming up to study the potential for a Winter Olympic bid.
The NOC, the city and the state of Tyrol announced the decision to launch a feasibility study at a joint press conference Oct. 20. The three entities will jointly finance the $380,000 study.
"A feasibility study is a first, indispensable step towards an intense discussion about an application," said OOC secretary Peter Mennel. "The aim is to find answers to the most important organizational issues."
"Only then it makes sense to go to the conceptual design and planning that could allow the Olympic Games in 2026 in Innsbruck to actually become reality," Mennel said. "Only someone who does his homework in this initial phase can succeed internationally."
OOC president Karl Stoss says that the IOC and its president Thomas Bach want cities with strong winter sports backgrounds to bid for the Winter Olympics. Located in the heart of the Alps, Innsbruck is known for its numerous ski resorts and has experience hosting major winter sporting events. The city most recently hosted the Winter Youth Olympic Games in 2012 and has hosted two Winter Olympics in 1964 and 1976.
"The new leadership in the IOC wants affordable, well-organized Games that are supported by the population," said Stoss. "Innsbruck is predestined for sustainable, likable games and it proved that at the Youth Games in 2012."
Tyrol Governor Günther Platter says the results of the feasibility study will allow the state to make a transparent decision as to whether to proceed with the bid.
"The games have to be downsized to a financially, environmentally and socially acceptable level," said Platter. "Such an event must simultaneously provide a significant added value for the population and opportunities for further development of Tyrol."
If Innsbruck moves forward with the bid and is chosen by the IOC to host the event at the 2019 IOC Session, the Austrian city would be the first to host three Winter Olympics.
Innsbruck could face competition from Calgary, Canada and a to-be-determined Swiss regional bid.
Written by Kevin Nutley
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