According to the latest public opinion poll conducted by research firm InFact for the Tromso newspaper Nordlys, only three out of 10 Norwegians support Oslo’s bid for the 2022 Winter Olympic Games, and there’s no majority support in any area of Norway, including Oslo.
The poll shows a 2.1 per cent decline among those favouring an Olympics, while the portion of those who are uncertain about the bid has increased by 10.4 per cent.
Opposition is strongest in Northern Norway, where 80 per cent oppose committing billions of kroner to finance a Winter Games in Oslo, and only 8.9 per cent of Northern Norwegians support an Olympics.
In the city of Oslo, 50 per cent oppose the bid while 44.4 per cent are in favour.
Supporters claim that since Norway is such a winter sports nation it is obligated to host another Winter Olympics. Norway has already hosted two Olympics.
Meanwhile, Norway’s own conservative government is split on the issue. Finance Minister Siv Jensen of the Progress Party firmly opposes the bid, while Conservative Thorhild Widvey, the minister in charge of culture and sports, is in favour.
The government is expected to send the proposal to Parliament for a vote this fall.
