Following a parliamentary vote, Berne’s cantonal government has agreed to contribute $14.3 million towards the city’s bid to host the 2010 Winter Olympics.
But there’s still another hurdle to overcome. The parliamentary decision must be approved by a general vote this autumn.
People living in the city of Berne will also get to vote on a separate SFr4 million credit previously approved by the city parliament.
According to Swissinfo Sport, the cantonal credit is divided into two distinct funds; one set aside for the development of sporting facilities in the canton, and the other being used to buy shares in the company set up to organize the bid itself.
Berne’s cantonal president, Elisabeth Zoich, said that a successful Olympic bid would generate around a billion francs for the local economy as well as putting Berne and Switzerland in the international spotlight.
Berne will be the host city for the 2010 Games, but other Olympic venues will be located in Fribourg, Crans-Montana, Veysonnaz, Les Diablerets, Leysin, Gstaad, Col des Mosses and St. Moritz.
Organizers estimate that the bid will cost around $7.95 million and the total cost of staging the Games would be about $628 million, says Swissinfo Sport.
