Vancouver council will wait until next year before 2030 Olympic bid decision

Councillors with the City of Vancouver will wait until early next year before deciding whether the city should bid to host the 2030 Winter Olympic Games.

In a message posted on social media Thursday, Coun. Melissa De Genova says she successfully delayed her motion until sometime in March 2021.

Council voted seven to four in favour of the referral request.

The delay will allow time for a staff report on the merits of hosting the Games, and give the public a chance to speak on the issue, De Genova said.

If the motion is not amended following the staff report in March, De Genova hopes council will agree to send letters to the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic committees, local First Nations, politicians and others about the possibility of hosting another Winter Olympics after the overall success of hosting them in 2010.

1:18 Former VANOC CEO John Furlong on why Olympic games are ‘rocket fuel’ for bidding cities

John Furlong, the former CEO of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games, said earlier this year that he believes a 2030 bid would have widespread support and everyone takes pride in the legacy of the 2010 Games.

More than 2,500 athletes participated in 86 events in 2010 in 13 competition venues, including six built just for the events.

The city said the Games generated 2,500 new full-time positions in the region and $15 million to local businesses.

— With files from The Canadian Press