Sapporo will make a bid for 2026 Winter Olympics
The Japanese city of Sapporo confirmed its intention to bid as the host city for the 2026 Winter Olympics.
"It is the best possible opportunity for many of our citizens to share a dream and combine their efforts toward a big goal," said Fumio Ueda, the city’s mayor.
Sapporo, on the northern island of Hokkaido, also hosted the Winter Games in 1972.
The games also came to Japan in 1998 when Nagano was host city.
The announcement comes a year after Tokyo was confirmed as host for the 2020 Summer Games.
City councillors said over 60% of Sapporo residents are in favour of a bid.
However Japan Olympic Committee president Tsunekasu Takeda was cautious about the bid.
"There are a lot of hurdles. Of course the JOC would like to see the plan at the earliest opportunity and consider it carefully."
The JOC have the final word on whether to sanction a bid for the Games.
Olympic body IOC plan to announce the winning bid in 2019, and Sapporo officials estimate the Games would cost in the region of 405 billion yen (USD3.5 billion).
Sapporo is home to an annual snow festival and hosts skiing and ski jumping events each year.
The 2018 Winter Olympics take place in Pyeongchang, South Korea.
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