IOC approves double allocation of 2030, 2034 Winter Olympics

The hosts of the 2030 and 2034 Winter Olympics will be selected simultaneously next year, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) decided on Sunday, reported Xinhua.

The decision was taken at the 141st IOC Session in Mumbai after the IOC's Future Host Commission proposed for the double award of the Winter Games over concerns of the impact of climate change.

The IOC said on Friday two reports have shown that only 10 countries would be able to stage Winter Olympics by 2040, based on IOC requirements including average temperature and sustainability via existing venues.

So far France, Switzerland and Sweden have expressed interest in hosting the 2030 Winter Olympics, while Salt Lake City is interested in the 2034 edition, according to Future Host Commission chairman Karl Stoss. Japan's Sapporo has dropped its bid for 2030 earlier this week.

The 2026 Winter Games will be staged in Milan-Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy.