(ATR) ATR understands that the Netherlands is set to propose a maximum of 17 sports in its joint-city bid for the 2019 European Games.
Dutch NOC president Andre Bolhuis told ATR that officials assembling the bid were considering a program of 15 to 17 sports – three fewer than on the roster of the inaugural games in Baku this summer. Of the 20 sports for the Baku Games, 12 are Rio 2016 Olympic qualifiers.
"We are in discussions with the EOC [European Games] commission," he said.
"We are busy working on the bid and have put a lot of energy into it," Bolhuis added.
Bolhuis indicated in January that the Dutch sports movement was exploring the feasibility of a joint bid from Amsterdam and Rotterdam, perhaps with a third city – either The Hague or Utrecht.
While the European Olympic Committees has said it's received interest from six bidders, ATR understands that only two or three of these are in the frame.
Underlining how seriously it is treating the Dutch bid, the EOC is taking negotiations further with the country's NOC ahead of the May decision on the 2019 host city.
Members of the EOC’s European Games commission will travel to the Netherlands for talks with Dutch NOC officials about its bid proposition on March 20.
Mersin in Turkey along with Kazan and Sochi in Russia are thought to be other possible candidates to stage the EOC’s flagship competition.
The Dutch NOC will formally submit a bid within the next two months.
Dutch NOC leaders held initial discussions about a 2019 Games bid with EOC president Pat Hickey and secretary general Rafaelle Pagnozzi in Amsterdam in December. The NOC aims to make use of existing sports facilities and accommodation for athletes and officials as part of efforts to keep a lid on costs.
Gerard Dielessen, CEO of the Dutch NOC, has estimated that it could be possible to stage the 2019 European Games with an organising committee budget of around €100 million ($122 million). This is significantly less than the gas-rich nation of Azerbaijan has spent on preparations to host the Baku 2015 Games.
The EOC Executive Committee is set to select its preferred candidate in April or early May.
Representatives of the proposed host city will work with the 2019 European Games working group to develop a unique concept, tailor-made to the city’s "needs, capabilities and priorities". The EOC task force will support the host city in defining the technical, operational, marketing and legacy requirements for the 2019 edition, covering the sports program, transport and venues, and the allocation of licensing rights.
The EOC ExCo’s choice of 2019 European Games host will be presented to the full EOC membership for approval at an Extraordinary General Assembly in Belek, Turkey, taking place May 13 to 15.
Reported by Mark Bisson
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