The campaign has been thrown into doubt after the right-wing Progress Party yesterday voted against providing financial guarantees for the Games, claiming the money could be better spent on infrastructure, education, health-care and other issues.

Prime Minister Erna Solberg also did not offer much comfort to Olso's bid when she was asked today if the Government would support it.

"I believe that the Olympics is a fantastic experience, but very costly," she said at a press conference ahead of the Conservative Party National Convention this weekend where Oslo's bid is set to be high on the agenda. 

"We must therefore get the numbers on the table so that we know what we are dealing with.

"There should be a broad political support behind a decision to provide Government guarantees to the Olympics, especially since it binds so much money for such a long time. 

"It's not even the next Parliament that will bare the cost, but the next one after that."

Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg was an enthusiastic supporter at Sochi 2014 but may be less keen to see the Winter Olympics in her own country ©Getty Images

Solberg claimed there had been no discussion yet in her own party about whether to support Oslo's bid to host the Olympics for the first time since 1952.

"Conservatives have not considered the matter so I do not know if some or all support it," she said.

But, with the stance of the Progress Party appearing to have so much pubic support, it seems inconceivable that members of Conservatives would back such an unpopular policy, even though the next national elections are not scheduled until 2017.

Among those in the Progress Party who voted "no" to backing the Olympic bid was the party leader Siv Jensen, who is also the Norwegian Finance Minister, Transport and Communications Minister Ketil Solvik-Olsen, and Petroleum and Energy Minister Tord Lien.

The negative publicity surrounding Oslo's campaign comes at the start of a crucial week for all the cities bidding for 2022, who also include Almaty, Beijing, Lviv and Kraków. 

They are all due to take part in video presentations with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Thursday (May 8) where they will be quizzed over their Applicant Files, which were submitted in March. 

The answers they give will help the IOC's ruling Executive Board decide which cities to shortlist at its meeting in Lausanne on July 8 and 9. 

Norwegian Olympic and Paralympic Committee and Confederation of Sports President Børre Rognlien, pictured at Sochi 2014 with Queen Sonja of Norway, has claimed it is the country's "moral obligation" to bid for the 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympics
©Getty Images

The Norwegian Olympic and Paralympic Committee and Confederation of Sports President Børre  Rognlien admitted the decision by the Progress Party had left Oslo's bid in a "complex situation" but that he still believed Oslo could mount a strong campaign.

He even claimed that it was Norway's "moral obligation" to bid for the Games. 

"We didn't seek Government guarantees from the Progress Party but from all of Norwegian politics," Rognlien said in a statement, noting that Parliament has the final say.

"We will spend the next few days to provide us with an overview of the situation that has arisen in the wake of the Progress Party's National Convention.

"We want the younger generation to be able to take part in the Olympics and Paralympics in Norway. 

"This will strengthen both voluntary and sport. 

"In addition, there is a moral obligation Norway has to take on this type of major sports events. 

"We can not be one of the richest countries only to travel as guests to all other countries participating in the Olympics and Paralympics."

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