Former Summer Olympic host city Barcelona wants to bid for 2022 Winter Games

Barcelona wants to bid for 2022 Winter Olympics

BARCELONA, Spain — Former Summer Olympic host city Barcelona wants to bid for the 2022 Winter Games.

Mayor Jordi Hereu made the announcement Wednesday saying that “the city of Barcelona wants to live the Olympic dream.”

“No technical reason exists that impedes Barcelona from being a host city for the Winter Olympic Games,” Hereu said. “This city believes when it has dreams.”

Hereu said all the outdoor disciplines would be held in the neighboring Pyrenees mountains, with indoor sports and ceremonies held in the Catalan capital.

“The IOC’s change of philosophy over designating host cities has made it possible for a Mediterranean city like Barcelona to take a decision like this with confidence,” Hereu said.

Hereu cited the 2006 Turin Games and the upcoming Vancouver Games as similar setups to what Barcelona would offer, since those two cities are also separated by the mountains.

Barcelona previously hosted the 1992 Summer Games.

Former International Olympic Committee president Juan Antonio Samaranch backed the bid, while Spanish sports secretary Jaime Lissavetzky said the Catalan capital had the government’s support after Madrid failed to land the 2016 Summer Games. Rio de Janeiro won the right to host.

“This shows Spain’s desire to organize events of the highest level and the Olympic spirit of our cities,” Lissavetzky said.

The Spanish Olympic Committee will select which city it puts forward to the International Olympic Committee in June 2013. The IOC will select the winning city in October 2015.

Zaragoza-Jaca is also bidding for the 2022 Games under the same style bid, with Jaca located in the Pyrenees.

No city has ever hosted both the summer and winter games, although Munich is bidding for the 2018 Winter Games. The German city also hosted the 1972 Summer Games.