Calgary’s heated Olympic debate comparable to Vancouver, ahead of 2010 games

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On April 10, 2018 Calgary City council will vote on whether to hold a plebiscite to gauge public support for a possible bid to host the 2026 Winter Olympics.

The Federal and Provincial governments have promised cash for the bid, but only if a plebiscite is held.

NEWS 1130 Reporter Dean Recksiedler tells 660 NEWS the drama playing out in Calgary is similar to what happened on the west coast leading up to the games of 2010. “There are those who literally bought into the games and those who argued the money could be better spent elsewhere,” said Recksiedler.

In February, 2003 the issue was put to a vote and 64 per cent of those who cast a ballot in Vancouver supported the games. A few months later the I.O.C. awarded the Olympics to Vancouver and Whistler B.C.

It’s estimated the cost to hold a plebiscite in Calgary is between one and two million dollars.

In March, Lillehammer, Norway announced it was not going to make a bid for the 2026 games. Stockholm, Sweden; Sion, Switzerland; and Sapporo, Japan have also expressed interest in the putting on the event.

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