By Nick Butler

Slope style was a late addition to the Olympic programme for Sochi 2014 ©Getty ImagesA promise not to add any more sports to the programme for the 2022 Winter Olympics after the host city has been chosen is being hailed by Norwegian officials as a positive boost for Oslo's campaign to stage the Games. 


The decision represents a change from the past, where the International Olympic Committee (IOC) have reserved the right to add new events up to three years before the start of the Games. 

In April 2011, four years after Sochi were awarded the 2014 Games, women's ski jumping, ski halfpipe and team events in luge, biathlon and figure skating were added to the programme,

Three months later, ski slopestyle, snowboard slopestyle and snowboard parallel special slalom were also added.

Now, any changes made by the IOC after the Session that create "material adverse effects", can only now be implemented in "mutual agreement between the Parties to the Host City Contract".

New events, such as women's ski jumping, were added to the programme for Sochi 2014 four years after the Games were awarded ©Getty ImagesNew events, such as women's ski jumping, were added to the programme for Sochi 2014 four years after the Games were awarded ©Getty Images



The change has been revealed in a letter and copy of the final draft of the Host City contract sent to the bidders for 2022, Almaty, Beijing and Oslo, and which the winner will have to sign after the decision is announced at the IOC Session in Kuala Lumpur on July 31, 2015.

The change, part of an attempt to make planning easier for the host city and to avoid the extra costs associated with incorporating new events, comes at a time when there is widespread opposition to cities bidding for the Games, particularly in Western Europe. 

This is particularly so for the Winter Games, with Stockholm, Kraków and Lviv all withdrawing from the race earlier this year and others failing to even reach the startline.

Of the three remaining candidates, Oslo is still yet to gain support from the Norwegian Government amid large and vocal opposition from the public. 

Oslo 2022 officials are now claiming that the IOC pledge will give them more certainty of planning over financial costs and, hopefully, deliver the Games within its budget. 

The letter sent by the IOC to the 2022 Olympic candidate cities sets out a series of crucial changes to previous Host City contracts ©ITGThe letter sent by the IOC to the 2022 Olympic candidate cities sets out a series of crucial changes to previous Host City contracts ©ITG

"The clarification on the programme of the Games is well-received by Oslo 2022," chief executive Eli Grimsby told insidethegames. 

"In eight years from now we will share our passion for winter sports by delivering unforgettable, yet sustainable Games.

"At the same time, to be able to do so, we must now predict, as exactly as possible, the total Games cost.

"This clarification is a key factor to the extensive and on-going Oslo 2022 bid preparations.

"Oslo 2022 also welcomes all initiatives from the IOC that contributes to the further development of the transparency of the organisation and the Olympic Movement."

In a letter signed by the IOC's Olympic Games Executive Director Christophe Dubi and its director of legal affaris, Howad Strupp, accompanying the draft of Host City Contract, the IOC lay out the assistance they will provide the Organising Committee, which will represent an estimated value of $880 million (£538 million/€684 million), they claim.

Among other changes, they also predict that the organises will be limited to providing accommodation for approximately 4,900 persons and 650 rooms in the Olympic Village as well as for "other appropriate accommodations".

Although this total is yet to be finalised, it represents a lower number than those provided by recent host cities.

Earlier this year Norwegian politicians published a series of demands in return for backing the bid, including that the IOC should pay for its own accommodation.

Oslo 2022 are hoping the changes will convince people that costs will not continue to rise ©AFP/Getty ImagesOslo 2022 are hoping the changes will convince people that costs will not continue to rise ©AFP/Getty Images





The next stage of the two-year process is due to come on January 7, when the Candidature Files are due for delivery at the IOC's headquarters in Lausanne.

But first Oslo 2022 has to negotiate a vote in the Norwegian Parliament which will decide whether or not they receive the Government guarantees necessary.

A decision is expected in the first half of next month. 

To read a copy of the letter sent to Almaty, Beijing and Oslo outlining the changes made to previous Host City contracts which aim to make them more affordable and sustainable, including the financial help offered by the IOC click here. 

To read the full draft of the Host City contract that the winning candidate for 2022 must sign click here. 

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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