IOC President Thomas Bach said that the organization does not have a backup plan for the 2026 Winter Games "if more cities drop out of the race," according to Karolos Grohmann of REUTERS. Calgary, Stockholm and an Italian bid involving Cortina D'Ampezzo and Milan made the IOC shortlist this week, with Turkey's Erzurum dropped. But all three bids "face major obstacles that could potentially end their candidacies." Calgary planned a non-binding plebiscite in November which could bury the Canadian bid to host the winter Olympics for the second time since '88 "as early as next month." The Italian bid and Stockholm have "both struggled with getting crucial government support for their projects," while Torino pulled out of the Italian bid "over project differences." When asked about what the IOC would do if more cities dropped out ahead of next year's vote, Bach said, "There is no Plan B and we will not enter into any speculation" (REUTERS, 10/6).
TOKYO 2020 SWIMMING: REUTERS' Jack Tarrant reported Tokyo 2020 organizers are "determined" to stage Olympic swimming events in the city center Odaiba Marine Park venue "despite continuing confusion over the water quality." Underwater screens installed in Tokyo Bay, which is expected to host the swimming marathon and triathlon events, "helped produce a marked reduction in bacteria," organizers said, but levels elsewhere are "still causing concern." Tests were carried out this summer after underwater screens were installed to "help improve water quality" to the standards demanded by the Int'l Triathlon Union and Int'l Swimming Federation (FINA). Organizers said that in areas where a triple-screen system was installed, test results were within required limits. However, outside the triple-screened area, results exceeded the target levels on 12 of the 16 test days (REUTERS, 10/5).
ARGENTINA BID: Grohmann reported Argentina President Mauricio Macri said that the country "will consider a possible Olympic Games bid" after completing the Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires. Macri, speaking at the start of an Olympic forum in the capital, said that the Buenos Aires Youth Games have "introduced innovations that could be implemented in other events." Macri: "Obviously once this wonderful event is finished we will have the chance to start thinking about trying to organize Olympic Games. It is obviously much more difficult" (REUTERS, 10/5).
