Italy Courts IOC with 2019 Milan Session

(ATR) Milan hosting the 2019 IOC Session is assured, but Mayor Guiseppe Sala tells Around the Rings the city will not drop its 2026 Winter Olympic ambitions.

Milan was unanimously awarded the 2019 IOC Session Friday in Lima. The IOC originally selected Krakow, Poland, as a candidate for the session. However, a site visit showed that the city lacked the necessary facilities for hosting.

Mayor of Milan Giuseppe Sala says the 2019 event will bring "a lasting and fruitful collaboration with the IOC." Sala cited experience hosting the World Expo 2015 and the greater Lombardy region’s sporting history as the impetus behind the bid,

The Olympic Charter says an Olympic city can not be elected during an IOC Session it is hosting. Speaking to ATR, Sala said, "I can only say now is, why not?" to continuing the Winter Olympic bid. Milan considered bidding for the 2028 Summer Olympics, but plans for the ended when the IOC sought an agreement with Los Angeles for the Games.

Milan is exploring a 2026 bid incorporating venues in the greater Lombardy region. Ice events and the Opening Ceremony would be held inside the city, and venues from the Torino 2006 Olympics could be used, according to local reports. The bid is even considering some venues in the St. Moritz area, as is permitted under Olympic Agenda 2020.

So far Calgary and Innsbruck have expressed interest in hosting the Games. Swiss officials confirmed a Sion bid, but it could be subject to a referendum.

"We have to see the rules because now technically speaking it is not possible," Sala said to ATR. " From now on I can only say why not, but we have to work on it. It is clear for the people in Milan the Olympic Games are perfect."

The Milan Congress -- or MiCo -- will host the 2019 Session, and the IOC Executive Board will be held at the Savoy Hotel. IOC Vice President Ser Miang Ng said the evaluation commission for 2019 recommended the IOC EB and IOC members stay in the same hotel.

Hotels for IOC members will be located 15 minutes from the MiCo by car, with three five-star hotels in one square. Media will be housed in hotels that are six metro stops from the convention center. The session will be held in September.

"The attitude of the people in Milan is to see the international event as an opportunity so they participate," Sala added . "We will [take] any single opportunity to host international events."

Written by Aaron Bauerwith additional reporting in Lima by Ed Hula.

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