Austrian cities Graz, Schladming consider 2026 Olympics bid

Poland's Kamil Stoch makes his trial jump at the ski jump in Bischofshofen, Austria, the fourth stage of the Four Hills Ski Jumping event. With an historic win on the World Cup circuit, double Olympic champion Kamil Stoch is in peak form as he aims to defend his ski jumping titles at the Pyeongchang Games. (Kerstin Joensson/AP)

SCHALDMING, Austria — Two cities in the Austrian province of Styria are exploring the possibility of hosting the 2026 Winter Olympics, three months after a potential bid from Innsbruck was rejected by inhabitants of Tyrol.

Graz and Schladming said on Tuesday they are working on a financial plan to be presented in March, followed by a feasibility study and an infrastructural concept in June. Schladming Mayor Jurgen Winter said no referendum would be held.

In October, Innsbruck dropped plans to bid for the 2026 Olympics after more than 53 per cent of the citizens in Tyrol voted against.

Candidate host cities for 2026 must have sent a letter of intent to the IOC by the end of March and present their final concept in September. The hosting rights will be awarded in 2019.

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