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Only a prominent curling country faces disappointment after tuning in to witness the announcement of Olympic host cities.
They were essentially shown the door, especially after having secured second place in several recent Olympic hosting decisions, including the most recent one for Milan-Cortina 2026.
Today, the International Olympic Committee has bestowed a double allocation host opportunity upon France and Salt Lake City, USA.
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Double Hosts for Winter Olympic Games
Both locations have been designated as “preferred hosts” for the 2030 and 2034 Olympic Winter Games, with the final confirmation of France for 2030 and SLC for 2034 scheduled to be announced during a July IOC session in Paris.
Then came the surprising twist: despite being turned down for hosting duties in 2030 and ’34, Switzerland has been granted “special status” for engaging in a “privileged dialogue” to host the 2038 Winter Games potentially.
If not 2038, they might be considered for a subsequent edition. The shocker is the abrupt dismissal of Sweden, despite having been in contention for an extended period.
The IOC acknowledged their bid was “technically excellent” but opted against selecting them.
The 2024 World Curling Championships are fast approaching, yet the most popular online sportsbooks have not posted betting odds for the event.
Sweden’s History of Failed Bids
This marks Sweden’s eighth unsuccessful attempt to secure hosting rights, including a bid in 1978 for the 1984 Winter Games and a withdrawal from the 2022 race, ultimately won by Beijing.
The Swiss haven’t had a stellar track record in bidding either. While they successfully hosted two Games in St. Moritz in 1928 and 1948, they faced setbacks or withdrew from eight other bidding processes.
Now, let’s delve into some intriguing details.
The notion of France hosting a Winter Games shortly after the Paris Summer Games next year seems a bit unconventional, considering the bid was only unveiled a few months ago.
The proposed host location for curling and all ice sports adds a touch of eccentricity—it’s quite unusual.
Snow sports would unfold in the Alps (Auverge-Rhône-Alpes region), while the remainder of the Games would revolve around Nice.
Yes, the Côte d’Azur region.
Olympic Gods Not Nice To Sweden:
You won’t believe where Olympic #curling is going… and who just got screwed🇫🇷🇺🇸🥳 🇨🇭❓ 🇸🇪😢
— The Curling News (@curling) November 29, 2023
Yes, that’s on the Mediterranean. It might sound ridiculous, but it’s undeniably appealing. It’s easy to picture sunblock, flip-flops, and gelato on the way to the curling rink.
Well, maybe not exactly like that. Apparently, the February temperature in Nice hovers around 12 degrees Celsius.
Perhaps this concept can indeed succeed. However, a significant factor known as global warming is turning traditionally cool places into hotspots.
This is precisely why the IOC is adopting this double allocation strategy—expressing concerns about the impact of climate change on winter sports.
Based on studies conducted by the IOC’s Future Host Commission for Winter Games, only ten nations are expected to be capable of hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games’ snow sports by 2040.
Only Ten Nations Capable of Hosting Winter Games?
It’s interesting to mention that France’s only previous attempt to host Olympic curling was quite a disaster. The Roaring Game was featured as a demonstration sport at Pralognan-la-Vanoise during the 1992 Albertville Games.
Unfortunately, the ice melted on two sheets, rendering them “virtually unplayable,” the other two sheets weren’t in much better condition.
Kevin Martin, Canada’s men’s skip, who has also worked as an ice technician throughout his career, generously offered to rectify the situation.
However, his offer was rejected because of his role as a competitor.
What a disaster. Meanwhile, Salt Lake City is set to reprise its hosting role from 2002, even replicating the sites for the opening and closing ceremonies and the sport venues.
This includes curling, which will take place at the same arena in Ogden used in 2002.
It’s worth noting that Martin himself missed a shot for the men’s gold in Ogden in 2002, losing to Norway’s Paal Trulsen.
On the women’s side, another Martin—Scotland’s Rhona Martin (now Howie)—successfully threw the “Stone Of Destiny” to defeat Switzerland’s Luzia Ebnother.
#Sweden2030 Winter #Olympics bid snubbed by the IOC again, and again. Is it personal?⬇️https://t.co/EGqvwC9MyE
— GamesBids.com (@gamesbids) November 30, 2023
Expressing empathy for the Swedes in this situation is important. Sweden holds the distinction of being the most successful Winter Olympic nation never to have hosted the Games.
While Stockholm hosted the summer edition in 1912, the Winter Games have eluded them.
Regarding Sweden’s approach, a member of the 2026 bid team shared, “Swedes have been a little more reluctant than the Italians in terms of welcoming the games, but I think that (it is) part of our culture. We don’t jump into things with huge excitement before knowing the details first.”
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