The International Olympic Committee is in Calgary today (October 24th), as the City continues to debate over whether to bid for the 2026 Winter Games.

According to Kent Rupert with Airdrie Economic Development, our city could see a huge benefit if Calgary were to win the Olympics.

A shot of Canada Olympic Park in Calgary

“I think if the Olympics did come to Calgary in 2026, I think some of the big advantages for Airdrie is some of the jobs it would create. You look at economic development as a whole and to have something like this that will come in and just accelerate our economy, I think it would be huge for the reason.”

Rupert points to many infrastructure projects needed for the Olympics and the jobs that would create as ways to boost the economy.

Although the games won’t kick off for another 8 years, Rupert says the greatest economic growth comes in that timespan.

“When something of this magnitude comes to a region or a province, it’s not just the day[s] that the Olympics happen, it’s the years that lead up and the construction and the modernization of facilities and building of athletic villages that will turn into affordable housing. It’s everything that it leads up to and everything that leads after it, I think, where the real economic benefit is.”

Calgary is one of only three cities that are pursuing the 2026 Games with Milan-Cortina d’Ampezzo and Stockholm being the others.

The official decision won’t be made until of 2019 but Rupert believes Calgary has a good chance of winning the bid.

“People know Calgary from the 88 Olympics. They still talk about the volunteerism and the spirit of Alberta for the Olympics. I think Alberta always has a can do attitude and if they were successful in getting the Olympics I think everyone would come together.”

Calgary residents will have their say on whether to pursue an Olympic bid with a plebiscite scheduled for November 13th.

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