By Duncan Mackay

A special sitting of the Norwegian Parliament has drawn up a list of demands that need to be met for the Government to support Oslo's bid to host the 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympics ©WikipediaMarch 7 - Oslo's bid to host the 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympics could hinge on a list of demands from the Norwegian Government being met, including a respect for human rights, a workers charter and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) paying its own costs.


The demands have been drawn up during a special sitting in the Norwegian capital by Members of Parliament from the two parties who form the Government and who still have to officially back Oslo's bid. 

At least some of the demands will need to be met if the Government is to offer the financial guarantees the IOC will require to put Oslo on the list of candidate cities.

Newspaper Aftenposten reported that the spokesmen on sports issues from both the Government's Conservative and Progress parties, Svein Harberg and Ib Thomsen respectively, have sent a letter to the Oslo 2022 officials outlining the demands.

In it, the two politicians wrote that "it is in Norway's interests to contribute towards influencing the future organisation of the world's largest sports event.

"It is critical that democratic countries that respect human rights still want to arrange the Olympic and Paralymic Games."

The seven demands are: 

* Apart from what they call "good Norwegian hospitality" and necessary access and security measures. the Government politicians believe that the costs of IOC members' own accommodation during the Games should be covered by the IOC itself.

* The two Government parties think Oslo 2022 must demand that limits be placed on any additional competitive events within the Olympics to ensure they do not incur any extra costs.

* They also want to see more use of existing sports facilities in and around Oslo, to control costs and reduce environmental impact.

* The rights of workers called in to build new Oslo 2022 facilities must be guaranteed, they wrote. It follows criticism of how workers have been treated at recent Olympics, including Sochi 2014.

* Oslo 2022 must emphasise inclusion, equality and respect for human rights would be the foundation for how an Olympics in Norway would be arranged.

* The athletes should at all times be at the centre of attention during the Games.

* Oslo 2022 should develop cooperation with plans for the 2016 Winter Youth Olympic Games in Lillehammer.

International Olympic Committee members stayed at the Hilton in Park Lane during London 2012 ©Getty ImagesIOC members stayed at the Hilton in Park Lane during London 2012 ©Getty Images

More than half of Norwegians are against the Government providing financial support for Oslo's bid, according to a nationwide poll conducted in January. 

There was anger among Norwegian politicians last month when details contained in documentation sent by the IOC to Oslo 2022 were made public.

These included IOC members only be housed in top five-star hotels of "international" standard in Oslo.

IOC's leadership also wants an entire "VIP" floor, where they also demand 24-hour availability of medical personnel devoted only to them during their entire stay, it was reported.

"Now these people at the IOC really need to be brought back down to earth," said Bård Vegar Solhjell of the Socialist Left (SV).

"I think it would be good for them to take the T-bane (metro) like everyone else."

Oslo 2022, along with rivals Almaty, Beijing, Kraków and Lviv, are due to submit their Applicant File to the IOC at its headquarters in Lausanne on March 14.

The IOC's ruling Executive Board are then due to choose which be shortlisted as Candidate Cities at its meeting on July 8 and 9.

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