Swedish Princess: "Might be Time" for Olympics in Sweden

(ATR) Her Royal Highness Princess Victoria and her husband Prince Daniel say "Winter Sports DNA" and Agenda 2020 mean it’s time for Sweden to host the Olympics.

In an exclusive interview with Around the Rings, the royal couple played up the importance of the IOC’s bidding reforms in shaping the Stockholm-Are bid for the 2026 Olympics.

"I personally think maybe Sweden, we do have a chance, but it might be time for Sweden to be hosting the Olympics and Paralympics," proclaimed Victoria.

Her husband said a Stockholm Olympics would benefit the Olympic Movement as well as his home country.

"What they have asked for now with Olympic Agenda 2020 we think that is exactly inline with what we can deliver," Daniel said.

"You’re talking about social, economic sustainability--Sweden could deliver."

Victoria was effusive with her analysis of the Agenda 2020 reform process--her comments were almost identical to those made by Stockholm 2026 officials.

"It’s a sustainable way of thinking. The way that it’s been done maybe isn’t the way we should do things any longer. I think that that in itself makes it possible to host."

Pressed to find one specific benefit to Stockholm with Agenda 2020, Victoria said it was the way bids thought about the entirety of the games.

"[Agenda 2020] really caused us to think: ‘is this possible, can we deliver it the way we should.’ I think it forces countries to do their homework even more."

Lagging public support, comparatively anemic when compared to rival Milan 2026, for Stockholm has been a constant criticism. But both royals believe the tide of public opinion is turning in Sweden for the positive.

"Now that we’re in the situation we are in that this could be reality, I do also think people will start to dare to believe it as well," Victoria said. "We’ve been a bit reluctant our history in the past not being able to get it also plays in a bit."

Daniel’s take? The "calmness" of the Swedish disposition.

"When we get it, I think and hope that people will be enthusiastic," said Sweden’s future king. "But we are not sharing before we get it."

No stranger to the Olympics and Paralympics, Victoria is a constant presence at both Games. She also serves on the International Paralympic Committee’s Honorary Board. Victoria said "the joy" of the Olympics is what prompted her to be involved with the bid.

"The joy that you feel being with your family and friends attending the Games and when you watch the athletes and see the different nations coming together, the different cultures, it’s the whole world blending together which I find very nice."

Perhaps Victoria’s most important connection to the Olympics happened five years before she was born.

Victoria’s father King Carl XVI Gustav attended the 1972 Munich Olympics. There he met Silvia, the future Queen of Sweden.

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