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Harbin China May Bid For 2018

AFP reports Harbin, China may bid for the 2018 Winter Olympic Games, a top sports official said Thursday.

But Vice Minister of Sports Cui Dalin said neither the city nor the Chinese Olympic Committee have formally announced the intention of bidding for the Games.

Cui said, “China was capable of successfully hosting a Summer Olympic Games. China is also capable of successfully hosting a Winter Olympic Games. (Harbin) is interested in bidding again…they are making preparations”.

Harbin bid for the 2010 Winter Games but failed to make the final cut, and Vancouver won the Games.

Last December the governor of Heilongjiang province, where Harbin is located, told the China Daily that Harbin may bid to host the 2018 Winter Games.

Cui said Harbin must still put forward a bid plan to the State Council, China’s cabinet, and ask for approval from the Chinese Olympic Committee if it hopes to bid for the 2018 Games.

Harbin has served as a training ground for winter sports teams for decades, reports AFP.

Countries have until October 15 to inform the International Olympic Committee of their potential candidate cities and the cities must then submit their final application and guarantees by March 15, 2010.

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