17-6-2023 (STOCKHOLM) The Swedish Olympic Committee (SOK) has announced its intention to bid for the Winter Olympics for the first time, following a four-month feasibility study that revealed significant interest in hosting the Games in Stockholm.
Sweden, renowned for its prowess in winter sports, has made eight unsuccessful bids for the Winter Games in the past, including the recent 2026 edition awarded to Milan-Cortina d’Ampezzo. However, Stockholm did successfully host the Summer Olympics back in 1912.
“Our preliminary study indicates that Sweden possesses the opportunity, expertise, and determination to organize the Winter Games in 2030,” stated Hans von Uthmann, President of SOK.
Originally, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) planned to announce the host for 2030 at its annual meeting in Mumbai this year. However, due to concerns about climate change, the decision has been postponed until the eve of the 2024 Paris Games.
Sapporo, the Japanese city that hosted the 1972 Winter Games, was initially considered the frontrunner. However, in light of a widening corruption scandal surrounding the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Sapporo has put its bid on hold.
Salt Lake City in the United States, which successfully hosted the Winter Olympics in 2002, remains a potential contender. However, it has expressed a preference for the 2034 edition, taking into account that the 2028 Summer Games will be held in Los Angeles.
In an effort to ensure stability for the Winter Games, the IOC has indicated the possibility of awarding the hosting rights for both 2030 and 2034 simultaneously. Furthermore, the IOC has proposed a rotation system between a select pool of cities and regions, as it faces a diminishing number of potential bidders.
