The previous bidding process for the 2018 Games saw just three cities submit bids, Annecy, Munich and, eventual winners, South Korea's Pyeongchang.

That number has doubled this time around, which the IOC claims highlights the keen interest cities across the globe have in the Games, and the lasting benefits and legacy they can bring to a region.

Almaty in Kazakhstan was the first city to confirm its candidature in September and is joined by the Ukrainian city of Lviv, Scandinavian duo Oslo and Stockholm, along with joint bids from China's Beijing and Zhangjiakou, and Poland and Slovakia with Kraków as the focal point.

"I am delighted that six cities are bidding to host the 2022 Olympic Winter Games," Bach said.

"These cities and their supporters clearly understand the benefits that hosting the Games can have and the long lasting legacy that a Games can bring to a region.

"Indeed, while recent Games have left an array of sporting, social, economic and other legacies for the local population, many cities that did not go on to win the right to host the Games have also noted benefits as a result of their bids."

The city of Lviv in western Ukraine will bid to become host of the 2022 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games © AFP / Getty Images



























But Bach's enthusiasm will have been dented by the fact that Munich, who had been expected to confirm another bid, were ruled out afterlocal citizens voted against the idea in a referendum last Sunday (November 10).

Bach, who replaced Jacques Rogge as IOC President in September, had lead Munich's unsuccessful 2018 bid and many believe they would have started favourites this time round.

In their absence the early frontrunners would seem to be Oslo.

The Norwegian capital is the only city among the six to have ever hosted the Winter Olympics, in 1952, but Stockholm and Beijing did stage the Summer Games in 1912 and 2008 respectively.

If either of them wins the campaign for 2022 then they will be the first cities in Olympic history to host both the Summer and Winter Games.

But there are doubts over how much Government support Stockholm's bid enjoys and it may out pull out.

The fact the field includes Almaty and Lviv, either of whom could emerge as surprise contenders, is further demonstration of emerging markets.

It will be Almaty's second bid for the Winter Olympics, having failed to get on the shortlist for the 2014 Games, which were awarded to Sochi. 

But this is the first time that Ukraine have bid.

The joint bid from Poland and Slovakia is permitted under Rule 35.2 of the Olympic Charter which states: Rule 35.2 which says: "For the Olympic Winter Games, when for geographical or topographical reasons it is impossible to organise certain events or disciplines of a sport in the country of the host city, the IOC may, on an exceptional basis, authorise the holding of them in a bordering country."

Slovakia did put in single city bids from Poprad-Tatry for the 2002 and 2006 Winter Olympics, awarded to Salt Lake City and Turin respectively, as they failed to get on the shortlist.

Swedish capital Stockholm was the last city to officially confirm its bid for the 2022 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games © Getty Images


























Each of the Applicant Cities will now be invited by the IOC to attend a seminar in Lausanne from December 4 to 6, as part of Phase One of the technical analysis process before participating in an Observer Programme at the Sochi 2014 Olympics and Paralympics next February and March.

In March 2014, each city will submit their Applicant File and following a first assessment by an expert IOC Working Group, the IOC Executive Board will select the cities that will move forward to Phase Two of the process as Candidate Cities in July next year.

The second phase will begin with the submission of the Candidature File and Guarantees - which will contain an in-depth blueprint and explanation of each candidate's Olympic project - before an IOC Evaluation Commission will visit each city to prepare a technical risk assessment in February and March 2015.

In May and June 2015, the Evaluation Commission's report will be made available to IOC members prior to a two-day briefing that provides the members with the opportunity to question the cities directly about their Olympic projects.

The final stage of the process will see the 2022 host city due to be elected at the IOC Session in Kuala Lumpur on July 31, 2015.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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