Stockholm-Are and Milan-Cortina submit innovative Games plans for the Olympic Winter Games 2026

The Chair of the IOC Evaluation Commission for the Olympic Winter Games 2026, Octavian Morariu, said: “With these two traditional sports countries as candidates, we see the very positive impact of the Olympic Agenda 2020 reforms. Both countries have vast experience in organising World Cups and World Championships, with existing infrastructure and experienced operators. This has allowed the candidates to reduce the investment needed and increase the sustainability of their projects.”

These are the first Candidature Files produced since Olympic Agenda 2020/The New Norm was approved by the IOC Session in February 2018, and its recommendations are already delivering substantial benefits to the Cities and their projects.

On average, the Candidate Cities 2026 will use 80 per cent existing or temporary venues, compared to 60 per cent among the candidates for the Olympic Winter Games 2018 and 2022. In addition, the initial Games operating costs projected by the Cities are on average 20 per cent (approximately USD 400 million) lower than those in the two previous candidature processes.

In their documentation, the Cities have shared their strong visions for hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games 2026, detailing how they would deliver the event in a sustainable manner, bringing long-term tangible benefits to residents, locally, regionally and nationally. The names of the candidatures reflect the projects and their maximum use of existing, traditional winter sports venues. Each of the candidatures has also outlined its plans for ensuring unique Games-time experiences for athletes, spectators and media.

The files received today and the other documents submitted during the process will form part of an analysis by the IOC Evaluation Commission, which will also visit each City. The Commission will be in Stockholm-Are from 12 to 16 March and Milan-Cortina from 2 to 6 April 2019. The Commission’s report will be made public ahead of the host city election, which will take place in June this year during the 134^th IOC Session in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Morariu added: “I am delighted that these two great projects already demonstrate a clear vision about the lasting legacies to be delivered in their respective communities, which have successfully hosted many winter sports events in the past. We are now looking forward to reviewing the Candidature Files and continuing to work in partnership with the Cities to further develop and refine their plans.”