The IOC on Tuesday said that it was "disappointed by the referendum defeat of Innsbruck's plan to bid for the 2026 Winter Olympics," with some in the movement saying that another dual Games award "could be on the cards." Bids from Switzerland, Kazakhstan, Turkey, Japan, Canada and the U.S. are "still likely" for '26, with the candidacy process to start in '18 and a decision to be taken in '19 (REUTERS, 10/17).
Toyota Motor Kazakhstan and the National Paralympic Committee of Kazakhstan signed a partnership agreement in which Toyota will promote Para sport and its values in the country. Toyota will take an active part in large-scale information projects on the development of the Paralympic movement and help share the stories of Para athletes (IPC).
South Korea President Moon Jae-in "promised all-out efforts" Tuesday to help make the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games and Paralympics a success. His remarks came in a meeting with IPC President Andrew Parsons at presidential office Cheong Wa Dae. Moon: "If there is anything that needs to be improved, our government will address the issues to successfully host next year's PyeongChang Winter Olympics and Paralympics" (YONHAP, 10/17).
The IOC launched a new approach to the candidature process for the 2026 Winter Games. In line with Olympic Agenda 2020, the new candidature process is based on increased flexibility and an in-depth dialogue with the IOC and the Olympic Movement. It has been reformed and redesigned to enable cities and National Olympic Committees to have even more sustainable, feasible and cost-effective Olympic Winter Games, and to align with their local, regional and national long-term development goals (IOC).
