Japan drops bid to host 2026 Olympics
Posted Sep 17, 2018 8:26 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The Japanese city of Sapporo has officially dropped its bid to host the 2026 Winter Olympics following a recent earthquake.
Calgary city councillors — split on the idea of even moving ahead with a bid for the games — could all agree Monday that it’s up to Sapporo officials to do what’s best for their community.
Ward 7’s Druh Farrell, who voted against a Calgary bid, says it certainly raises a lot of questions.
“I think we have to ask ourselves why so many countries are dropping out and learn from those countries,” she said.
Ward 5’s George Chahal, who voted to continue the bidding process, says a lot of the countries bowing out don’t have the infrastructure in place.
“But we are in a really good position with event-ready infrastructure, and I think other cities need to see what’s in their best interest moving forward,” he said.
Three other countries, in addition to Canada, remain in the running: Italy, Sweden and Turkey.
