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Whistler could share Games

An official with the International Olympic Committee says it would welcome a bid by Calgary to hold another Winter Games using some facilities in Whistler, B.C., or elsewhere.

Calgary is mulling whether to vie for the 2026 Games and a six-member IOC delegation is in the city this week to tour venues from the 1988 Olympics and to discuss ways to reduce the cost of holding them again.

The possibility of reusing the ski jump in Whistler from the 2010 Games has been floated as an alternative to a costly refurbishment of the outdated one at Calgary's Canada Olympic Park or building a new one 100 kilometres west in Canmore, Alta., for upwards of $100 million.

Christophe Dubi, Olympic Games executive director, says it's good news that the Whistler option is being considered.

"This goes exactly in the direction that we want," he told a teleconference Wednesday. "It doesn't need to be a joint bid. It (would) remain Calgary, but using venues outside of Alberta. This is perfectly fine. This is encouraged."

He said distance wouldn't be a problem and noted that equestrian events were held in Hong Kong during the 2008 Beijing Summer Games.

The cost of holding the Games has been pegged at $4.6 billion, with revenues covering about half that. The 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver and Whistler, B.C., cost $7.7 billion.



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