The performance is unprecedented in Olympic history. In a single day, Wednesday November 29, the IOC Executive Board made three winners. Three countries that can prepare to host the Winter Games. France and the United States with almost certainty, for 2030 and 2034. Switzerland with another dose of conditionals, for the 2038 edition.

Three winners at once, for only one unfortunate loser, Sweden. A failure from the race for the Winter Games whose prospects of hosting the event have receded to become so distant that they seem invisible. Winter 2042, at best. In other words, an eternity.

For Sweden, the blow is severe. And the pill is all the more difficult to swallow as the country is not on its first try in the race for the Winter Games. His candidacy for the 2030 edition was the ninth. Nine Olympic projects, not a single one selected.

« It becomes a habit, suggested Hans von Uthmann, the president of the Swedish Olympic Committee (SOK), the day after the announcement by the IOC Executive Board. What should we learn from this new failure? I admit that I don't know, other than that the Swedish method does not seem compatible with the expectations of the IOC. »

The Swedes make no secret of it: they do not understand the reasons which led the executive commission, on the recommendation of the future host commission, to once again dismiss their application. Hans von Uthmann insists: the Swedish project was undoubtedly, with that of Switzerland, the most sustainable of the lot, since it was built entirely on already existing sites.

The president of SOK confided it to Associated Press : the Swedish project did not provide for the slightest construction. “ While the 2030 Olympic and Paralympic Games have been awarded to someone (France) which plans to build two new ice rinks. »

Another misunderstanding: the question of guarantees. On Wednesday November 29, the IOC explained, to justify its decision not to select Sweden, a lack of financial guarantees from the authorities. But Hans Von Uthmann reminds us: the Olympic body has never demanded that these guarantees be formally provided at this stage of the selection process.

So why ? For the president of SOK, the explanation could be cultural. Sweden approached the race for the 2030 Winter Games as it has always done in the past, with a certain discretion and humility, without trying to ride mechanics. Swedish style.

Obviously, the method is not the right one. But the Swedes do not intend to change it. “ We always do it this way, explained Hans Von Uthmann to AP. We are proud to do it this way. Of course, we must listen and learn from others. But we will not abandon our values"

After nine failures, will the Swedes be tempted by a new project, for the Winter Games in 2042 or 2046? The answer will wait. They will first have to overcome their disappointment. But nothing is excluded.

The Japanese, for their part, are already looking towards the future without trying to hide their game. The decision of the IOC Executive Board to retain the French Alps and Salt Lake City to continue the “ targeted dialogue » for 2030 and 2034, with a double allocation announced during the Paris session next July, stifles Sapporo's ambitions in the medium term.

But the Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC) could position itself as plan B in the event that Switzerland fails in its efforts to win the 2038 edition. Its secretary general, Ogata Mitsugi, told the Japanese media on Thursday, November 30, that the decision of the IOC Executive Board had not really been anticipated, especially for the Winter Games in 2038.

The Japanese leader clarified that it was impossible for Sapporo, in the current configuration, to continue to discuss with the IOC for the 2038 Winter Games. But he assured that the JOC would support Sapporo's efforts and approach, to 2038 or beyond,” in every possible way"