OSLO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The City of Oslo, together with the Norwegian Olympic and Paralympic Committee and Confederation of Sports, officially launched its candidature for the 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games by announcing a sincere and genuine ambition of hosting the Games.
An active and responsible contributor
The city of Oslo, in close cooperation with the Norwegian Olympic and Paralympic Committee and Confederation of Sports, has over the last two years made extensive preparations for a 2022 bid. The plans and analyses have been conducted to make a best possible overall concept for the bid. In a local referendum in September this year, a majority of the Oslo residents voted in favour of hosting the Games. With a letter sent to the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Oslo now officially joins the race for the 2022 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games.
- Oslo and Norway wants to be an active and responsible contributor and a partner to the Olympic and Paralympic movement. Norway has had the honor of hosting the Games two times before, and history shows how the shared and unforgettable moments of both the Oslo 1952 and the Lillehammer 1994 Games created special memories lasting a lifetime for everyone taking part, says Governing Mayor Stian Berger Røsland.
- Now, the City of Oslo, together with the Norwegian Olympic and Paralympic Committee and Confederation of Sports, are looking forward to present the bid to the Olympic and Paralympic movement. Building on a clear vision for the future, a strong overall concept and the longtime Olympic and winter sports heritage of Norway, we believe that Oslo presents a bid favorable to all, continues Berger Røsland.
A bid for the future
With the overall concept “Games in the City” Oslo will create ultra-compact and urban Winter Games. Most of the venues will be located in a half-circle throughout the city just 10-20 minutes from the Olympic village. Situated between high hills and the Oslo Fjord, the capital city of Norway provides a spectacular frame for Games.
The Lillehammer region, with renowned 1994 Olympic venues Hafjell, Kvitfjell and Hunderfossen, will host the alpine events, along with bobsleigh, luge and skeleton.
An open, friendly and spectacular celebration of sports
The year 2022 will mark 70 years since the 1952 Oslo winter Olympics, and 28 years since IOC president Juan Antonio Samaranch declared the 1994 Lillehammer Olympics “the best games ever”. In 2016 the Youth Olympic Games will be held in Lillehammer too. In 2011 Oslo hosted the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships, followed by the World Snowboarding Championships in 2012 and the FIS Freestyle World Championships in 2013.
- Norway has extensive international event experience and longtime winter sport traditions. Winter sport is a vital part of who we are in Norway. In 2022 our ambition is to share that passion and invite everyone to an open, friendly and spectacular celebration of sports. By hosting the Games, we also hope to inspire people everywhere to live more active lives, says Hallstein Bjercke, Vice Mayor Department of Cultural Affairs and Business.
