The Western Canadian city of Vancouver and the municipality of Whistler will work with representatives of indigenous First Nations to explore the feasibility of bidding for the 2030 Winter Olympics, officials said Friday.
Representatives from Vancouver, Whistler and four First Nations signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to explore the feasibility of what they described as an Indigenous-led Olympic Games.
There are more than 630 First Nation communities in Canada, representing more than 50 countries and 50 indigenous languages, accounting for nearly 5% of the country’s 38 million residents.
Vancouver and Whistler previously hosted the 2010 Winter Games, where Canada topped the medal table for the first time at a Winter or Summer Olympics.
“This MOU is also an important first step to explore the feasibility of bringing the Olympic and Paralympic Games back to the region,” the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Committees said in a statement.
“We believe this agreement sets the stage for transformative change for future event hosting and collaboration with Indigenous communities in Canada and the world.”
An exploratory committee is the most important step before efforts may move to a new bidding committee for a real pitch to the International Olympic Committee.
The decision comes three years after residents of Calgary, which hosted the 1988 Winter Olympics, voted decisively against the Western Canadian city’s plan to bid for the 2026 Games.
The next Winter Olympics will take place in Beijing from February 4-20 next year, while Italy’s Milan-Cortina d’Ampezzo has already been selected to host the 2026 edition.
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