(ATR) Bobsleigh federation president and IOC member Ivo Ferriani tells Around the Rings he is disappointed over the vote in Austria this week that rejected plans to bid for the 2026 Winter Games in Innsbruck.
"They will miss a great opportunity," says Ferriani. More than 53 percent of the votes in the referendum in the Tyrol region went against the bid, 46 percent in favor.
Ferriani says the referendum, while necessary, could have been better timed. The vote last Sunday was held the same day as other elections for parliament and local government. Ferriani says Innsbruck may have benefitted from consultations with the IOC that are now part of the first year of the new bidding process. The change is a direct result of Olympic Agenda 2020, the package of 40 recommendations adopted by the IOC three years ago.
"The IOC is on the right track with its reformed bidding process for the 2026 Winter Olympics. The cities can approach the IOC for this discussion without cost. The IOC can provide analysis, the expertise,to customize the plans," Ferriani says.
"It is possible now to nominate any city without obligation to this phase of the bid process," says Ferriani.
"With this bid process it is possible to find a tailor-made solution for everyone. Everyone," Ferriani emphasizes.
"I remember what the mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo and Eric Garcetti from Los Angeles said after the 2024 2028 decision. They said they could not bid without Olympic Agenda 2020," he says.
The Italian sports leader says he is happy to hear about the initial approval of the Swiss Federal Council for a 2026 bid from Sion and Valais Canton. He says he expects other bids to emerge in the months ahead of the first IOC deadline in March 2018.
Ferriani, who has been an IOC member since 2016, says the hosting of an Olympics should be a positive for host cities and nations.
"The Olympics are not just construction and contracts. It’s about having a vision of a better future for a city and a country.
"We must be passionate, ready to promote what we must do. Believe me, I am here as an IOC member to promote sport and find solutions," says Ferriani.
Reported by Ed Hula.
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