Turin previously hosted the Winter Olympics in '06. GETTY IMAGES
Milan and Turin are "both in discussions" with the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) "about possibly bidding" for the 2026 Olympics, according to the AP. The Veneto region that includes Venice, Verona and 1956 Games host Cortina d'Ampezzo is "also interested" in '26, with Veneto President Luca Zaia on Tuesday announcing interest will be "formalized by next week." CONI is "still recovering from its dropped Rome bid" for the 2024 Games (AP, 3/20).
ALBERTA ASSESSMENT: In Calgary, Meghan Potkins reported Calgary city councilors voted 8-6 to approve a C$2.5M ($1.9M) "cash injection for the creation of an Olympic BidCo., on the understanding that the provincial and federal governments must also come through with matching financial support" for a 2026 Winter Games bid. The decision "green-lights" additional funds to complete Calgary's C$9.5M ($7.3M) portion for the BidCo. The proposed draft budget for BidCo. also includes C$10.5M ($8.1M) from the federal government and C$10M ($7.7M) from the province, totaling C$30M ($23.2M) (CALGARY HERALD, 3/21). The CP's Donna Spencer reported Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi has repeatedly said that a bid cannot "go ahead without federal and provincial financial support." The IOC will "invite cities to bid" for the 2026 Winter Games in October, with the "deadline to do so in January." The winning city will be announced in Sept. '19 (CP, 3/20).
