Krakow votes on 2022 Winter Olympics bid

Last ditch publicity drive for Krakow's hosting of the 2022 Winter Olympics, featuring Cross-Country skier and Olympic gold medallist Justyna Kowalczyk (L), 22 May. Photo: PAP/Jacek Bednarczyk

A 30 percent turn-out is necessary to make the referendum valid, hence the authorities' decision to tie in with the EU vote.

Just four other cities are still in the running to host the 2022 Winter Olympics (Oslo, Beijing, Almaty and Lviv), and it has been estimated that holding the games could cost Poland in excess of 21 billion zloty (5 billion euros.)

Besides Krakow, events would be staged at resorts in the Tatra Mountains of both Poland (Zakopane) and Slovakia (Jasna/Chopok).

Although the referendum was originally intended to be solely focused on the Olympic bid, city authorities have decided to gauge local opinion on three other matters.

Thus Krakow's 580,000 eligible voters will also be asked whether they support the construction of a metro line in the city, and whether there should be more cycle lanes and surveillance cameras.

Voting closes at 9pm local time.

For an insight into how locals feel about the staging of the Winter Olympics, as well as Deputy Mayor Magdalena Sroka's thoughts on the matter, click on the accompanying link for a full audio report. (nh)

Source: PAP