Aftenposten reports that as soon as Norway chose Tromso as the country’s candidate for the 2018 Winter Olympic Games the infighting began among those fronting the bid.
Oslo had been favoured over Tromso because of its access and existing infrastructure.
According to Aftenposten civic boosters in Tromso have been working ever since to secure the “enormous” amount of state funding needed to guarantee the bid to the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
Trond Giske, Minister of Culture and Sport, is not as enthusiastic about the bid because public support for a Tromso 2018 bid is “lukewarm at best” reports Aftenposten, and some local Tromso officials think it will be an enormous waste of money since schools, hospitals and the police are complaining about a lack of funding and public services are being cut back.
Organizers have presented budgets that have been “blasted” for vastly underestimating what an Olympics would really cost Norwegian taxpayers, according to Aftenposten.
There are also environmental concerns since Tromso’s Arctic area is especially sensitive, and expanded flights, ground transport and infrastructure would hamper Norway’s need to cut carbon emissions.
To add to the problems Tromso 2018, the organization set up to promote the bid, has encountered internal quarrelling. There reportedly have been disagreements between managing director Bjorge Stensbol and chairman Petter Jansen.
However in an interview with Aftenposten Wednesday, Giske called the bid “fascinating” and “attractive” idea. He said, “I believe Norway must, at regular intervals, take on the responsibility for this type of large championship event. We are an active sports nation. We are a rich, secure and well-organized country. We have good infrastructure. If we can’t take the responsibility, I don’t know of many who can”.
For those unfamiliar with Tromso the city got its Town charter in 1794, has an area of 960 square miles, and because its above the Arctic Circle, the “dark period” when there is no sun is between November 25 and January 21. The period of the midnight sun is between May 21 and July 23.
Activities include mountaineering in the midnight sun and angling during the dark season. The city has several international restaurants and bars.
Tromso will have to decide whether it wants to bid for the 2018 Games by the end of the year, and if the state backs an Olympic bid, organizers will send the bid to the IOC by August 2009.
