Several polls have showed the public are against the bid to bring the event back to the Norwegian capital for the first time since 1952 but Grimsby is feeling increasingly confident that the Government will provide the financial guarantees necessary for it to have a chance of success.

"We have to work hard the next weeks and months to convince them [the public and Government]," she told insidethegames.

"But I have a good feeling.

"Our people love winter sports."

Lviv's decision last week to withdraw from the campaign due to the political situation in Ukraine has, in truth, left the ruling Executive Board of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) with little choice but to put forward the remaining three cities, who also include Almaty and Beijing, to the Candidate City stage when they meet today.

Oslo 2022 is pinning its hopes on the Norwegians support of winter sport ©Oslo 2022

But they and Oslo will face a nervous few months before the Norwegian Government officially makes its decision about whether to back the bid, probably in November.

Having already lost Stockholm and Kraków from the race because of public opposition in their countries, the IOC will be desperately hoping they do not lose another European candidate.  

Grimsby, however, refuses to criticise the Norwegian Government over the amount of time it is taking to reach a decision.

"It's a mega event we are talking about," she told insidethegames.

"We should be discussing budgets and possibilities. "

Under the plans proposed by Oslo 2022, the public would be required to provide $1.1 billion (£699 million/€814 million) worth of investment, which would be supplemented by $2.1 billion (£1.2 billion/€1.5 billion) from the private sector, to build new facilities necessary to host the Games.

The operating budget, which would be used to stage the Games, would be $2.1 billion.

"We have a strong concept," said Grimsby.

"We are certain that the financial risk is low and that the budget will be held."

Eli Grimsby, seen here far left during a presentation given by Oslo 2022 during Sochi 2014, believes the Norwegian public have been scared by the reported $51 billion that the Russians spent on those Winter Olympics ©Oslo 2022

Grimsby admits that the reported $51 billion (£31 billion/€37 billion) cost of Sochi 2014 has hindered their bid.

"Norwegians think that every Olympics has to be done like Sochi," she said.

"It's important that we get the message across that that is not the case."

The IOC are due to announce the shortlist here at 12pm CET tomorrow.

Those selected will then have until January 2015 to submit their Candidature Files and Government guarantees with visits from the IOC Evaluation Commission scheduled for February and March.

The reports of the Evaluation Commission will then be published in May or June, followed by a Candidate City briefing to IOC members before the final decision is due at the IOC Session in Kuala Lumpur on July 31.

Grimsby believes the withdrawal of Lviv has strengthened Oslo's chances.

"They could have been very hard competitors for us," she said.

"I think it increases our chances the fact they are not there."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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