Indigenous-led bid to bring 2030 Games to Vancouver and Whistler takes next step

An Indigenous-led partnership has taken the next step in exploring a potential bid to host the 2030 Winter Olympics and Paralympics.

The agreement announced Tuesday between four First Nations, the City of Vancouver, the Resort Municipality of Whistler, The Canadian Olympic Committee and the Canadian Paralympic Committee will include a feasibility assessment and initial concept development to bring the Games back to the Vancouver area.

“To to be able to watch our elected chiefs and youth in front of senators of the world welcome everyone here would be very exciting. It would be even more exciting for this to be the first one in the world to be held,” said Chief Wayne Sparrow (yəχʷyaχʷələq).

Vancouver and Whistler hosted the Winter Olympics in 2010.

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The COC said in a release that it is fully funding the key technical work and local engagement required to complete the feasibility assessment.

Officials from the Lilwat (Líl̓wat), Musqueam (xʷməθkʷəy̓əm), Squamish (Sḵwx̱wú7mesh) and Tsleil-Waututh (səlilwətaɬ) Nations, along with the mayors of Vancouver and Whistler, started the process on Dec. 10 when they announced their partnership to explore a 2030 bid.

A full assessment will follow the feasibility and initial assessment stage. A decision on whether to submit a formal bid to the International Olympic Committee is expected in the fall.