OSLO, Norway - Friday, June 7th 2013 [ME NewsWire]
(BUSINESS
WIRE)-- With a vast majority of 52 to 7 in favour, Oslo City Council
voted Wednesday to send a joint application for a Financial Shortfall
Guarantee to the Norwegian Government from the City of Oslo and the
Norwegian Olympic Committee (NOC), regarding a possible bid for the 2022
Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in Oslo.
"This is an
important day for Norwegian Sports," states Mr Børre Rognlien, the
President of the NOC. "We have worked all year following our decision
last June to approach the Municipality of Oslo regarding a possible bid
for the 2022 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. I am also very
relieved by the clear majority and very happy for the constructive
deliberations ahead of the decision. We feel that the interests of the
sports organisation are heard. We see the great possibilities for all of
Norwegian sports, and we definitely see the pareto optimal situation in
the fact that we also will host the 2016 Youth Winter Olympic Games in
Lillehammer, and re-use some of the upgraded venues from the 1994 Winter
Games", concludes Rognlien.
"The City Government feels that the
capital of Norway – The Winter Capital of the World – again should
shoulder the responsibility of hosting one of the greatest sporting
events of the world – the Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. A united
Norwegian sports family pointed to Oslo as the host candidate for the
2022 Winter Games, and upheld that sentiment with a unanimous resolution
during their AGM last week end. We have worked hard to present what we
feel is a winning concept - 'Games in the City' – close to the bustling
city for the joy and benefit of the athletes, our visitors and the
spectators, and the whole Olympic family", states the Governing Mayor,
Mr Stian Berger Røsland, Head of the City Government.
The joint
application for a Financial Shortfall Guarantee will be presented to the
Hon. Minister of Culture, Ms Hadia Tajic medio June. After that the
citizens of Oslo will be able to voice their views during an advisory
referendum on Election Day the 9 September.
"We want to create
games for the whole nation and show the world that Norway is indeed the
crib of winter sports. We are very happy with the work that the City of
Oslo has put into this. It is now our job to maintain the momentum and
create the necessary enthusiasm in the city prior to the referendum. We
are certain that we will be able to present a thorough and exciting
concept to the Norwegian Government – and in turn – to the IOC",
concludes the NOC President.
Contacts
The Norwegian Olympic and Paralympic Committee and Confederation of Sports
Geir Owe Fredheim
Phone: +47 472 359 57 / +47 21 02 90 83
E-mail: geir.o.fredheim@idrettsforbundet.no
Permalink: http://www.me-newswire.net/news/7605/en
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