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Calgary remains part of the IOC’s bid Dialogue Stage for 2026, along with Sion, Switzerland, Sapporo, Japan, and Stockholm, Sweden.

IOC vice-president Juan Antonio Samaranch praised Calgary as a potential landing spot for 2026 last week in Pyeongchang, adding that further meetings are planned with Mayor Naheed Nenshi and others from Calgary’s delegation to South Korea, who are participating in an “observer program” for potential host cities.

“We are very importantly supporting them in dealing with their local press,” Samaranch said. “We are very well-equipped to help them explain why this is good to them.”

The remarks raised some concerns that the IOC could be trying to lead Calgary toward a “predetermined outcome.”

“It’s a highly desirable exercise for the IOC,” said Lander, of returning the Games to the 1988 host city. “Legacy is No. 1, North America No. 2, the time zone No. 3. The games in Pyeongchang are going to be a disaster for advertisers, for the networks that bid billions to broadcast it. To most of the people in North America, everything interesting . . . is going to happen in the middle of the night, not in prime time.”

With similar issues for North American viewers during the 2014 Games in Sochi, and the same expected when Beijing hosts in 2022, Calgary is attractive as a potential host.

“They’ve got to give something to the North Americans that makes it watchable,” he said.

Calgary Coun. Shane Keating said he disagrees with the notion that the IOC is “pushing” Calgary to bid, and that being the only North American city makes little difference in the decision council will have to make by this summer.