Kuopio has a history of hosting international sporting events.(Getty Images)Evaluations of the Kuopio, Finland bid for the 2012 YouthOlympic Games (YOG) determined the bid presents “some risk to the IOC.”
The IOC said financial aspects of the city’s bid were somewhat worrisome. Evaluators cited a lack of contingency in the budget and little information on the financing of the Games, coupled with a governmental guarantee of a budget shortfall that is “limited in value."
The report concluded the IOC did “not feel confident that Kuopio would be able to deliver the required levels of service and operational requirements of the Winter Youth Olympic Games (YOG) within the proposed financial envelope.”
Kuopio, however, describes itself as “a safe Olympic city." On the bid’s Web site, they proclaim the “guarantee of snow, its advanced health and ecology expertise and the accessibility of the region” as strong points of the bid.
A full slate of winter sports would not be contested at the Kuopio YOG, including bobsleigh or a number of alpine events. It is not a requirement to stage every event that Bid leaders for the Kuopio Youth Olympic Games.(Kuopio 2012).would normally be held in a Winter Olympics.
Mountains in Kuopio are not suited to all of the skiing events. With a maximum drop of 656 feet, many events are could not be properly contested. A reason Finland has failed in its past five attempts to host the Winter Olympics.
The IOC did praise the bid’s support from the government at all levels and the experience of hosting international sporting events. The IOC also looked favorably upon the design of the bid, and how preexisting venues would be used, saying the plan “presents an integrated vision that follows the overall philosophy of the Youth Olympic Games.”
Kuopio, located in eastern Finland, has a population of close to 100,000 people and is known as a university town. It has hosted several international sporting events and is deemed qualified to host the Games, according to the IOC’s evaluation panel.
Harbin, China and Lillehammer, Norway were eliminated early in November.
Written by Ed Hula III.
Últimas Noticias
Utah’s Olympic venues an integral part of the equation as Salt Lake City seeks a Winter Games encore
IOC president tells Olympic Movement “we will again have safe and secure Olympic Games” in Beijing
Boxing’s place in the Olympics remains in peril as IOC still unhappy with the state of AIBA’s reform efforts
IOC president details Olympic community efforts to get Afghans out of danger after Taliban return to power
North Korea suspended by IOC for failing to participate in Tokyo though its athletes could still take part in Beijing 2022
