Some Canadian athletes are asking Calgary not to quit on a bid for the 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Calgary city council is expected to vote early next week on whether to continue exploring a bid.
WATCH: What would it take for Calgary to host the 2026 Olympics? Global News breaks down the costs for pursuing or abandoning an Olympic bid.
Active and retired athletes who live in Calgary and nearby Canmore, Alta., are mobilizing with a social media campaign and a letter to council.
They don’t want work to stop on a potential bid until all the facts are known and the financial picture is clearer.
WATCH: Numerous Olympic athletes ensured their voices were heard before Calgary city council votes Monday on whether to continue exploring a bid for the 2026 Games. Olympians Justin Kripps, Jane Channell and Gilmore Junio joined Brendan Parker in studio to explain their perspective.
Calgary was the host city of the 1988 Winter Games.
Many of the athletes have trained and competed in venues still in use from those games.
It’s not just athletes voicing their support for the games.
The Calgary Chamber of Commerce is calling on councillors to vote in favour of continuing the process.
The chamber says the city has already invested significant funds.
With the federal and provincial government committing resources, the chamber says cutting the cord would be counterproductive.
In a statement issued on Friday, the chamber asks city council to finish the job.
“Businesses and all Calgarians deserve the right to see the outcome of a rigorous analysis, to weigh the pros, cons, costs and benefits of a potential Olympic bid,” the statement says.
-with files from Bindu Suri
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