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Above and left The changes were approved at the IOC Extraordinary Session in July NEW CANDIDATURE PROCESS FOR OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES 2026On 11 July in Lausanne, the IOC approved changes to the Candidature Process for the Olympic Winter Games 2026 that will reduce costs, simplify procedures and provide more assistance to National Olympic Committees (NOCs) and cities at every stage. The changes include two important alterations to the process timeline. First, the Invitation Phase will be extended to a full year, giving NOCs and cities more time and more help to develop their proposals; and second, the formal Candidature Phase will be shortened from two years to one, significantly reducing the cost for Candidate Cities.Under the new approach, the IOC will take a more proactive role in assisting and supporting cities considering a candidature well before any commitment. The IOC will customise its approach to the needs of the cities to help them develop the best value proposition for their city and region.Cities will not be required to submit any formal proposals or deliver any presentations during the expanded Invitation Phase. Candidates can also expect closer IOC collaboration, expert advice and other support throughout the formal Candidature Process. IOC Members from winter sports regions strongly endorsed the idea in discussions before unanimously approving it.The expanded Invitation Phase for the Olympic Winter Games 2026 began in September 2017.In July, IOC President Thomas Bach travelled to Spain, where he attended a number of events marking the 25th anniversary of the Olympic Games Barcelona 1992. Many Spanish Olympians turned out for the celebrations, including King Felipe VI of Spain, who competed in sailing at Barcelona 1992 and was a flagbearer at the Opening Ceremony. During the visit, the King and the IOC President had a bilateral meeting, where they were joined by IOC Vice-President Juan Antonio Samaranch and Alejandro Blanco, the President of the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Spain.President Bach also took a tour of the Olympic Museum in Barcelona, where he praised the excellent relationship between the IOC and the NOC of Spain, and awarded the IOC President’s Trophy to Mr Blanco. “The legacy and the tradition the Olympic Games Barcelona 1992 have left is important, but it is even more important to make further progress,” he said. “The NOC of Spain, with their President Alejandro Blanco, are doing a great job in this respect. They are growing the legacy and the tradition and are ambitious to set new targets.”IOC PRESIDENT AT BARCELONA 1992 CELEBRATIONS14 OLYMPIC REVIEW