2018 Applicant Cities Meet in Lausanne

Last week, a four-day information seminar with the three 2018 Applicant Cities, held by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), concluded in Lausanne, Switzerland. The aim of the seminar was to assist Applicant Cities in responding to the IOC’s questionnaire in Phase One of the bid process - also known as the candidature acceptance procedure - and to give them a complete overview of the complexity of organizing the Olympic and Paralympic Games and of what will be expected from them should they be selected as Candidate Cities and reach Phase Two of the procedure.

Gathered for the first time in Lausanne, Annecy (France), Munich (Germany) and PyeongChang (Republic of Korea)* were given the opportunity to learn about the Olympic and Paralympic Movement, meet with those who have organized or are currently organizing the Olympic and Paralympic Games and collect all the necessary information to prepare good quality bids.

The delegations also had the chance to talk to representatives of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) to get more information about the Paralympic Games, the Paralympic sports programme and legacy opportunities. The seminar covered all aspects of the bid process and the organization of the Olympic and Paralympic Games such as Games benefits, legacy, finance, the Organizing Committee’s structure and public authority interface and infrastructure.

Said IPC CEO Xavier Gonzalez: "The seminar is an excellent opportunity to set the right expectations from the beginning and stress the importance of the Paralympic Games already in the bidding process. With every bid, we see more interest from the cities which is a very positive trend".

In 2010, the cities will have the chance to follow Observer Programmes throughout the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver. This will be a unique opportunity for them to see behind the scenes and grasp the complexity and challenges inherent to the organization of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Information on the Candidature Acceptance Procedure, including the questionnaire to which Applicant Cities must respond by 15 March 2010 and the rules applicable to this process, can be found at www.olympic.org.

* The cities will be listed in alphabetical order until such time as the official drawing of lots is carried out by the IOC Executive Board. The order of drawing of lots will then be used until the election of the 2018 host city.