Ukraine, Swiss, Quebec City Winter Olympic Bids; Salt Lake Bid Rumblings

Ukraine 2022

Ukraine’s president Viktor Yanukovych reiterated the country’s desire to stage the 2022 Olympics.

In a press conference for international media on Monday, he said: "This is our initiative, we have already conducted an enormous work the International Olympic Committee"

He said that the country has increased work on its winter sports facilities in the Carpathian Mountains, where a Games would likely be staged.

Quebec City Could Bid for 2022

Quebec City is set to make a decision this week about whether or not it will bid for the 2022 Winter Olympics.

According to Canadian media, the city will analyze the decision to award PyeongChang with the 2018 Games and make a decision later this week.

Mayor Regis Labeaume said PyeongChang’s win over Munich and Annecy would negatively affect Quebec City’s bid because a European city would be favored for 2022.

Postmedia News reported that the mayor’s press secretary said Labeaume was set to meet with Quebec Premier Jean Charest, members of Team Quebec and Marcel Aubut, president of the Canadian Olympic Committee, to discuss the bid.

"We will take the time to think this through before making a decision, and we have other people to consult," said Paul Christian Nolin.

Quebec City bid for the 2002 and 2010 Olympics, and was unsuccessful both times.

Swiss Still Looking

The Swiss Olympic Association will continue to study if a Winter Olympic bid is possible, now that PyeongChang is the 2018 host city.

In a statement posted on its website, SOA president Joerg Schild said they will continue to investigate "under what conditions a Swiss candidate for the 2022 Olympics would be successful".

Had Munich or Annecy, France wont the 2018 Games, the SOA said in previous comments it would not bid forthe 2022 Games.

Interested cities must now make a decision on whether or not they wish to bid.

An executive board meeting of the SOA is scheduled for Aug. 11, where interested cities will comment on the findings.

In the spring of 2012, the cities will face a vote from the Swiss sports associations at a general assembly to receive approval to bid.

Murmurs of Salt Lake Repeat

It appears people are urging Salt Lake City to bid for the Winter Olympics again.

Fraser Bullock, chief financial officer of the 2002 Salt Lake Olympics tells The Deseret News he was asked "with a wink anda nod" about bidding, suggesting there may be encouragement for a bid.

Bullock also seemed eager to have the city throw its hand up.

"The only thing that holds me back is it went so well last time, you kind of want to go out on top," he was quoted.

The financial expert is part of a panel discussing revenue sharing agreements with the IOC and U.S. Olympic Committee, currently one of the major stumbling blocks for a U.S. Olympic bid.

Currently, the USOC receives the largest slice of Olympic revenue from a deal negotiated when the U.S. was the dominant force in the Olympic Movement. Many have said the deal needs to be revamped to reflect current realities.

And the other problem for a U.S. bid? The USOC has shown no inclination that they want to bid for any Olympics, summer or winter.

All parties on the ground in Utah also expressed some hesitance about a future bid. The state’s governor told the News in a statement a bid is something he is : "willing to talk about it, but it's not something for which I'm advocating."

Utah Sports Commission chair Jeff Robbins also noted geopolitical concerns with a U.S. bid, and said 2026 is probably the Winter Olympics could return to the U.S.

Written by Ed Hula III.