OSLO, Norway--(BUSINESS WIRE)--With a vast majority of 52 to 7 in favour, Oslo City Council voted Wednesday to send a joint application for a Financial Shortfall Guarantee to the Norwegian Government from the City of Oslo and the Norwegian Olympic Committee (NOC), regarding a possible bid for the 2022 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in Oslo.

"This is an important day for Norwegian Sports," states Mr Børre Rognlien, the President of the NOC. "We have worked all year following our decision last June to approach the Municipality of Oslo regarding a possible bid for the 2022 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. I am also very relieved by the clear majority and very happy for the constructive deliberations ahead of the decision. We feel that the interests of the sports organisation are heard. We see the great possibilities for all of Norwegian sports, and we definitely see the pareto optimal situation in the fact that we also will host the 2016 Youth Winter Olympic Games in Lillehammer, and re-use some of the upgraded venues from the 1994 Winter Games", concludes Rognlien.

"The City Government feels that the capital of Norway – The Winter Capital of the World – again should shoulder the responsibility of hosting one of the greatest sporting events of the world – the Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. A united Norwegian sports family pointed to Oslo as the host candidate for the 2022 Winter Games, and upheld that sentiment with a unanimous resolution during their AGM last week end. We have worked hard to present what we feel is a winning concept - 'Games in the City' – close to the bustling city for the joy and benefit of the athletes, our visitors and the spectators, and the whole Olympic family", states the Governing Mayor, Mr Stian Berger Røsland, Head of the City Government.

The joint application for a Financial Shortfall Guarantee will be presented to the Hon. Minister of Culture, Ms Hadia Tajic medio June. After that the citizens of Oslo will be able to voice their views during an advisory referendum on Election Day the 9 September.

"We want to create games for the whole nation and show the world that Norway is indeed the crib of winter sports. We are very happy with the work that the City of Oslo has put into this. It is now our job to maintain the momentum and create the necessary enthusiasm in the city prior to the referendum. We are certain that we will be able to present a thorough and exciting concept to the Norwegian Government – and in turn – to the IOC", concludes the NOC President.