IOC laments Oslo's 2022 bid withdrawal, calls it a 'missed opportunity'
The International Olympic Committee says Norway's decision to withdraw Oslo's bid for the 2022 Winter Games is a ''missed opportunity'' for the city and country.
In a strongly-worded statement, IOC executive director Christophe Dubi says senior politicians in Norway were not properly briefed on the bid process and made their decision based on ''half-truths and factual inaccuracies.''
Dubi says Norway is missing out on $880 million in Olympic revenues that the IOC will provide the 2022 host city.
He says ''it is a pity that Oslo will miss out on this great opportunity to invest in its future and show the world what it has to offer.''
Oslo pulled out Wednesday after the government declined to provide financial guarantees.
The IOC wasn't the only one mourning Oslo's withdrawal. Norwegian athletes looking forward having the Games back on their home turf for the first time since 1994 in Lillehammer also voiced their disappointment.
"It's a shame," biathlete Emil Hegle Svendsen was quoted as saying by Norway news outlet NRK. Though he understood people's reservations.
"There's a reason why people have been skeptical, and I understand why people get provoked by the IOC's long list of demands, as they've been completely absurd," the two-time Olympic gold medalist continued.
"Still, I've always thought of the magnificent event we could have to opportunity to host, and seen that as a good thing for Norway. Even though we might not like the IOC, we can want to host the Olympic Games on Norwegian ground."
Oslo's exit leaves Beijing and Almaty, Kazakhstan, as the two remaining contenders.
