As the international sports community waits with to see who will host the 2030 Winter Olympic Games, Sweden may enter the race as the International Olympic Committee (IOC) searches for more contenders to host the event.

Previously, Sapporo, Japan was considered the front-runner, but after an alleged bid-rigging scandal related to the Summer Olympics in Tokyo, their chances have been cast with doubt.

Salt Lake City is the only other known bidder that may take 2030, though officials have stated that they prefer a bid for 2034.

Commenting on a feasibility study to host the event, Swedish Olympic Committee (SOC) acting chairman, Anders Larsson, said: “These are new times now and the feasibility study will show how the Olympics and Paralympics can be shaped based on Sweden’s conditions.”

“We already have virtually all the arenas required to arrange the largest Winter Games.

“We have had a meeting with the IOC that was about, without obligation from any quarter, looking at the Games in 2030.

“During that meeting, it was clear that the IOC liked our concept for 2026. What the feasibility study will provide answers to is whether we are ready to move forward in the process,” he said.

SOC secretary general, Åsa Edlund Jönsson, added: “The idea is to review the concept that existed for the candidacy in 2026, which would mean competitions in several places in Sweden.”

“The idea is to review the concept that existed for the candidacy in 2026, which would mean competitions in several places in Sweden.

“Here we feel confident that there is great experience in arranging world-class winter championships in the Swedish sports movement,” Jönsson said.

This wouldn’t be the first time Sweden has thrown its hat into the ring, as a joint Stockholm-Are bid was made for the 2026 Winter Olympics.

However, the bid lost out to Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo in Italy due to a lack of clear public support in Sweden as well as government upheaval at the local and national level leading up to the vote.