By Nick Butler

Despite the dark clouds hanging over Oslo's bid Eli Grimsby sees reason for optimism ©AFP/Getty ImagesThose who support Oslo's bid for the 2022 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games have realised the need to fight to keep the bid alive, a leading official has admitted in the aftermath of the latest update provided to the International Olympic Committee (IOC).


Representatives from Oslo - as well as from the rival bids of Almaty, Beijing, Kraków and Lviv - reported to the IOC via video-link this afternoon, where they conducted a 15-minute presentation before a question and answer session covering a range of issues.

Oslo 2022 chief executive Eli Grimsby claimed recent setbacks have not marked the death knell of the bid and they remain confident they can still reverse their fortunes.

This is despite the decision of the Progress Party, the minority in Norway's governing coalition, to vote against the bid at a National Congress on Sunday (May 4), a decision especially significant considering the Government are yet to endorse the bid.  

"Many industry and business figures, as well as the young population, are behind the bid and they have all realised we will have to fight if we are to be successful," Grimsby told insidethegames.

"It is not enough to whisper and everyone must join forces to galvanise support through more actions and initiatives."

Among measures already being taken is the distribution of information sheets on the budget and concept of the bid, as well as a questionnaire establishing the standards people expect.

Following much speculation on the likely true cost of a Games in Norway, these policies will "remedy a lot of information out there which is incorrect", Grimsby hopes.

It is hoped the decision of Sviv Jensen's Progress Party to oppose Oslo 2022 has been a wake up call galvanising those who support the bid ©AFP/Getty ImagesIt is hoped the decision of Sviv Jensen's Progress Party to oppose Oslo 2022 has been a wake up call galvanising those who support the bid ©AFP/Getty Images



Grimsby added that ahead of the all important decision of the Norwegian Government over whether to endorse the bid, due be made in the Autumn, it is vital to make best use of the summer to create positive momentum.

But while admitting there was a "negative wave" in support in the aftermath of Sochi 2014, she insists they are already beginning to hear more positive feedback, despite the outcome of the Progress Party Congress.

Like Oslo, several of the other Applicant have had similar problems with public support and this will have been a key dimension of their presentations to the IOC.

On May 25 the citizens of Kraków are due to go to the ballot box in to decide whether the bid will go ahead, while Lviv's bid remains on the backburner pending the results of the Ukrainian Presidential Elections to be held on the same day as the Kraków referendum. 

As the problems engulfing Ukraine show no signs of easing, insidethegames understands the IOC remain "on the same page" as Lviv in relation to progress, and that development projects indirectly associated with the bid are going ahead regardless of whether the western city remains in the race, and in several cases have already begun.

Lviv's bid is still being overshadowed by the ongoing political context as protests continues in Lviv as in the rest of Ukraine ©AFP/Getty ImagesLviv's bid is still being overshadowed by the ongoing political context as protests continues in Lviv as in the rest of Ukraine ©AFP/Getty Images





Almaty and Beijing meanwhile, will have welcomed the opportunity to reiterate to the IOC they are the safest and most viable options, after having enjoyed a quieter and less problematic Spring than their European rivals. 

From the presentations today, the IOC and the 2022 Working Group will analyse the files of all five before producing a technical report to assist the IOC's ruling Executive Board with its selection of an unspecified number of the candidate cities, taking place in Lausanne from July 8 and 9.

Visits will then be made to each by the IOC Evaluation Commission before the winning city is due to be revealed at the IOC Session in Kuala Lumpar, Malaysia on July 31, 2015.

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