Sweden has organized the Summer Olympics in 1912, but has not been able to host the Winter Olympics despite nine attempts.
The International Olympic Committee said on Wednesday that it would nominate France — a combination of the snowy Alps and the Nice Riviera resort — to host the Winter Olympics and Paralympics in 2030, replacing Switzerland and Sweden.
In Sweden, the information was received with confusion and frustration. It was the ninth time that KOK wiped the floor at the request of our western neighbor.
Chairman of the Swedish Olympic Committee by Hans von Uthmann it was hard to accept that Sweden – a country that has produced winter sports greats such as the alpine skier By Ingemar Stenmarkcross-country skiers Gunde Svanin and Sixten Jernberg and a hockey star by Peter Forsberg – has never hosted a Winter Olympics.
This latest failure was particularly hard to swallow.
– Isn’t the Swedish way of applying for the Games compatible with what the IOC expects? I don’t know, said von Uthmann to the AP news agency.
According to the International Olympic Committee, the reason why Sweden did not receive the Winter Olympics was that the Swedish government could not promise a state funding guarantee.
– I can’t say if there are other things in the background. In our dialogue with the IOC, it has been clear that state guarantees are needed, but they will come in the next, third phase.
Despite the confusion surrounding the IOC’s decision von Uthmann tells SVTthat Sweden must look at itself in the mirror in matters related to the Olympic application.
– It feels like we did our best. We thought we had a very strong job. But we didn’t get any further, so it’s clear that we now have to analyze why this happened, he says.
In the midst of pain and disappointment, Sweden’s Olympic boss von Uthmann is happy that at least the offer they made got the country’s politicians and business life on the same side and strengthened the relations of elite sports in Sweden.
The next winter games will be held in 2026 in Milan-Cortina. France is currently the likely host of the Winter Olympics for 2030. The IOC will make the final decision next year.
Salt Lake City, USA, is the only candidate to host the 2034 Games.
When Switzerland received “privileged dialogue” status with the IOC for 2038, the Swedes can realistically host the Winter Olympics in 2046 at the earliest. Japan’s Sapporo was interested in the 2038 Games, but will have to turn its sights to 2042.