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January 25th, 2005, 12:07 AM
Harbin to bid for 2014 Winter Olympics
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2005-01-24 23:52
Northeastern Chinese city Harbin, host to the 2009 Winter University Games, is considering a bid for the 2014 Winter Olympic Games.
Citizens enjoy the skiing in Harbin, capital of Northeast Heilongjiang Province on January 5, 2005. [newsphoto]
The capital of Heilongjiang province is ready to make a second bid to host the Winter Olympics despite its first failed attempt in 2002, according to Zhang Xinsheng, chief-de-mission of the Chinese delegation to the 2005 Winter Universiade in Austria's Innsbruck.
"The successful bid for the Winter Universiade has laid foundation for further efforts to host a Winter Olympics," said Zhang, who was present when Harbin was awarded the Universiade at the FISU's executive committee meeting in Innsbruck two weeks ago.
China's capital Beijing is to hold the country's first Olympic Games in 2008. Harbin was the first Chinese city to bid for Winter Olympiad, but failed to be one of the four finalists for the 2010 edition.
The International Olympic Committee will open the 2014 Games bid process in May, by sending bid invitations to the National Olympic Committees. The deadline for submission of bids is July 2005.
South Korea's Pyeongchang, which narrowly lost to Vancouver in the vote for the 2010 Games, is the only confirmed candidate so far. Austria is expected to nominate Innsbruck or Salzburg, while Sweden plans a joint bid by Oestersund and Are. Sofia, Bulgaria, is another possible bidder.
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2005-01-24 23:52
Northeastern Chinese city Harbin, host to the 2009 Winter University Games, is considering a bid for the 2014 Winter Olympic Games.
Citizens enjoy the skiing in Harbin, capital of Northeast Heilongjiang Province on January 5, 2005. [newsphoto]
The capital of Heilongjiang province is ready to make a second bid to host the Winter Olympics despite its first failed attempt in 2002, according to Zhang Xinsheng, chief-de-mission of the Chinese delegation to the 2005 Winter Universiade in Austria's Innsbruck.
"The successful bid for the Winter Universiade has laid foundation for further efforts to host a Winter Olympics," said Zhang, who was present when Harbin was awarded the Universiade at the FISU's executive committee meeting in Innsbruck two weeks ago.
China's capital Beijing is to hold the country's first Olympic Games in 2008. Harbin was the first Chinese city to bid for Winter Olympiad, but failed to be one of the four finalists for the 2010 edition.
The International Olympic Committee will open the 2014 Games bid process in May, by sending bid invitations to the National Olympic Committees. The deadline for submission of bids is July 2005.
South Korea's Pyeongchang, which narrowly lost to Vancouver in the vote for the 2010 Games, is the only confirmed candidate so far. Austria is expected to nominate Innsbruck or Salzburg, while Sweden plans a joint bid by Oestersund and Are. Sofia, Bulgaria, is another possible bidder.