IOC Reaction to 2022 Shortlist; Criticism of Bids

IOC vice-president John Coates told reporters in Lausanne that there were no discussions about dropping any of the three applicants.

"We were absolutely as one as an executive that all three should go forward. Three is a good number to go forward. If there was one of those wasn’t of quality we wouldn’t have sent it forward. But that wasn’t ever discussed.

He added: "There was a clear recommendation from the working group that all three go forward."

Despite concerns about the lack of public support for Oslo 2022 and with parliamentary backing still in the balance, the Norwegian bid advanced to the next phase.

Asked if it was a risk to keep Oslo in the bidding contest, Coates said: "If they have things to go through, we ought to work with them to help them and address any concerns that governments might have. We have to work with government, communities and other interest groups. Rather than just shut the door on someone because they are not quite there."

Coates said now was the stage to talk with the bids about their venue plans, revenue issues among other issues. "It’s important that everyone understands what we bring to the table. I don’t think we have explained that well enough in the past," he said.

With the next two Olympics in Asia, some question whether the IOC membership will have the appetite to make Beijing the 2022 Games host. Coates disagrees.

"They are a major Olympic force in summer and increasingly winter sport. They bring the resources of a major government to the table," he said.

"I don’t think anyone has ever said there is a formal rotation process [for the Olympics]. If they were to come out of this as the best, it is likely to be supported."

Chinese Executive Board member Zaiqing Yu said he was hopeful about Beijing’s chances, but admitted they might hinge on Oslo exiting the race if the Norwegian parliament rejects the bid later this year.

Already three applicant cities have been forced out of the race over support from the government and public: Stockholm, Krakow and Lviv. While there is a view that the remaining field is one of the weakest for the winter Games, that’s not how Alex Gilady, IOC member from Israel, sees it.

He said people are "underestimating" the strength of the field, noting that it includes the Chinese capital with a solid bid, a winter Mecca in Oslo and Almaty, a hub of winter Olympic sport for the Soviet Union.

"These are three very serious bidders," he told ATR.

Bid Analysis

The IOC Executive Board based its decision to name three candidate cities on a 68-page technical analysis of the bidding applications submitted in March. It covered 15 themes including venues, sports experience, transport, accommodations, security, and government and public support.

The 2022 working group, which met in Lausanne in May,has graded each city on will each of the themes on a scale of 0-10. The IOC said the grades reflected the task force "assessment of the risk/feasibility of implementing the plans proposed in

the time available". A wide span between the minimum and maximum grades will denote a greater level of uncertainty.

While Oslo gets a 7-9 grade for its concept and venues, the working group gives it only a 5-7 for its government and public support.

For Almaty, the IOC identifies the Olympic Village concept and legacy plan as an issue. The report said land ownership and development of the project has yet to be clarified, while accommodations across two Olympic Villages needed to be

reconsidered. The IOC gives a 4.5-8 grade.

It also raises concerns about the International Broadcast Centre, which would be housed in a new convention center financed by a public-private partnership, and grades it 5.5-8.

Also marked down is sports experience, the IOC gives Almaty 4.5-7, saying it has "very limited experience in running World Cup or World Championship events in Olympic winter sports".

Accommodations are also problematic for Almaty, the IOC saying limited options are available for spectators, mainly in alternative and university accommodation, while the split of 2-5-star rooms in the mountain clusters "appears to be verylow".

The IOC working group is critical of the Beijing bid in several areas.

The Alpine skiing venue at Yanqing is Games-dependent. "There appears to be a risk of low natural snow depths, as well as relatively high daytime maximum temperatures. High-capacity snowmaking systems would be required," said the report.

On Games concept and competition venues, the grade is 5.5-7.5.

Even after improvements made for the 2008 summer Olympics, traffic congestion in Beijing remains a major challenge for the city, says the IOC report. All venues are said to be within a 25-minute travel time from the Olympic Village. But the IOC said "significant road traffic management measures would be necessary to ensure the consistent and reliable travel times".

The IOC marks it 5.5-8.

Next Steps

Jan. 7 – Submission of candidature files and guarantees

February to March – IOC Evaluation Commission visits

May to June – Evaluation Commission report / Candidate City Briefing for IOC members.

July 31, 2015 – Election of 2022 host city by IOC Session in Kuala Lumpur.

Written by Mark Bisson.

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