The prime minister said this, when answering a question from the press about Latvia's willingness to grant money for the purpose. He added that he knew no details of Sweden's offer but the information in the public domain.
Gaidis Berzins, the deputy chairman of the ruling National Alliance, voiced hope that the idea would become true.
Earlier Latvian Education and Science Minister Karlis Sadurskis (Unity) said that hosting the Olympic luge, bobsleigh and skeleton competitions would help Latvia to get noticed on the international arena. But the financial aspect was crucial, and it is a decision that will have to be made by the Latvian government.
Viena no potenciālajām 2026. gada ziemas olimpisko spēļu mājvietām ir Stokholma. Zviedrijas Olimpiskā komiteja šī gada oktobrī oficiāli uzrunājusi Latvijas Olimpisko komiteju, lai tieši Siguldas trasē rīkotu daļu sacensības. pic.twitter.com/NFP6xCsT1P
— LTV Panorama (@ltvpanorama) December 8, 2017
As reported by LSM, representatives from Stockholm's bid to organize the 2026 Winter Olympics have approached the Latvian Olympic Committee for the Sigulda Bobsleigh Track to be included in its Olympic bid.
The Swedish capital is currently looking into the possibility of officially announcing its Olympic bid, with the final decision on who will host the 2026 Winter Olympics to be made in 2019.
Stockholm does not have its own bobsleigh track, which is why it has approached the Latvian Olympic Committee for the Sigulda Bobsleigh Track to be included in its Olympic bid.
However, in order for the Sigulda Track to be able to host the Olympic bobsleigh, luge and skeleton events, it would have to be reconstructed, as it is not possible to organize 4-man bob competitions at the facility in its current form.
Latvia's current strength in sliding events is another factor in favor of the idea, and the chance to see stars such as Martins Dukurs and Oskars Melbardis battling for gold medals on home soil would guarantee huge crowds at the event.
Chairman of Latvia's Olympic Committee Aldons Vrublevskis told Latvian Television that after receiving the Swedish proposal, the issue was discussed both with the mayor of Sigulda and with the leaders of the respective international sports federations.
"They know this track personally," Vrublevskis said of the international federations.
"Therefore, I think that we are only moving forward. Of course, it depends on Stockholm's decision at the end of March whether or not they will complete this application."
