EUR 58 million will need to be invested in Sigulda Bobsleigh Track if Latvia becomes involved in organization of 2030 Winter Olympics

RIGA - If Latvia becomes involved in the organization of the 2030 Winter Olympic Games by hosting competitions at the Sigulda Luge and Bobsleigh Track, then about EUR 58 million will have to be invested in the reconstruction of this facility, Vladimirs Steinbergs, Director of the Sports Department of the Ministry of Education and Science, told Latvian Radio.

According to him, such an amount appears in the calculations made earlier, and it is considered to be quite a significant investment. However, Latvia could receive part of this investment back from Sweden, the potential host of the Olympic Games, in the form of track rent.

According to Steinbergs, Latvia's economy as a whole would benefit quite substantially from being involved in the hosting of the Olympic Games. In addition, the reconstructed Sigulda Luge and Bobsleigh Track would also be a lasting, fundamental investment and could serve well into the future.

Asked how far the decision on the host country of the 2030 Winter Olympics and Latvia's  potential involvement could be, the ministry representative replied that the Swedish government's decision on agreeing to host the Games is currently pending.

"We have agreed to call again in two weeks' time to find out the latest information. (...) The Swedish Olympic Committee is preparing an application and if the Swedish government's decision is in favor, then we, as the only partners at the moment to organize the Games, are ready to decide on our side," said the Director of the Sports Department of the Ministry of Education and Science in the interview.

As reported, the Education and Science Ministry, together with the Latvian Olympic Committee, continue to look into the opportunity to become involved in the organization of the 2030 Winter Olympics.

Sweden previously submitted a bid to host the 2026 Olympic Games, which included the Latvian city of Sigulda, together with Stockholm and Ore. The luge, bobsleigh and skeleton competitions were to be held in Sigulda, however, the Italian city of Milan won the the bid to organize the 2026 Winter Olympics.