Open letter: Sweden is ready to host the first truly sustainable Olympic and Paralympic Games

On 24 June, delegates of the International Olympic Committee will decide where the 2026 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games will take place.

We are sure that the great opportunities to be gained from hosting the Olympic Games far outweigh the challenges.

The new ‘Olympic Agenda 2020’ guidelines emphasise sustainability. This is an important and welcome step towards ensuring that the Games can be a catalyst for the shift towards a sustainable economy.

Sweden and its businesses are at the forefront of sustainability. Sweden is the fifth most sustainable country in the world, according to the Environmental Performance Index published by the Yale Center for Environmental Law & Policy. The country and its businesses have managed to grow and stay competitive in a sustainable way. While GDP has increased by 43 per cent since 2000, national emissions have been reduced by approximately 23 per cent.

We believe that Sweden is the ideal location for the 2026 Winter Games. Given the opportunity, Sweden will strive to fulfil the sustainability requirement and host the first truly sustainable Olympic and Paralympic Games. And, by also including social and economic sustainability, the Games will also contribute to a more cohesive society.

With all the right tools to deliver the most sustainable Olympic and Paralympic Games ever, Sweden is ready to set a new gold standard for future Olympic Games.

Stefan Löfven, Prime Minister of Sweden (Social Democrats)

Johan Dennelind, President and CEO of Telia Company

Daniel Ek, Founder and CEO of Spotify

Börje Ekholm, President and CEO of Ericsson

Urban Edenström, Business Leader and Chairman of the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce

Andreas Hatzigeorgiou, CEO of the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce

Henrik Henriksson, President and CEO of Scania

Anna König Jerlmyr, Mayor of City of Stockholm, (Moderate Party)

Amanda Lind, Minister for Culture and Democracy, with responsibility for sport (Swedish Green Party)

Anders Nilsson, President and CEO of Tele2

Karl-Johan Persson, President and CEO of H&M

Stefan Persson, Business Leader and Chairman of H&M

Cristina Stenbeck, Business Leader and Chairman of Zalando

Irene Svenonius, Chairman of Stockholm Region Executive Council (Moderate Party)

Jacob Wallenberg, Business Leader and Chairman of Investor

Marcus Wallenberg, Business Leader and Chairman of SEB Group

Sven-Erik Österberg, Governor of Stockholm County