The head of the COE, Alejandro Blanco, faced questions last month about pressuring Aragon to accelerate a deal that would bring a joint bid to the IOC. The discussions have echoed across the public sphere in recent weeks, even shaping an April timeline that some suggested could push the 2030 Games to May 20. On Tuesday, Blanco denied any such coercion. Pere Miró, a special adviser to Olympic President Thomas Bach, stated that there is no IOC deadline and that any such timeline was a COE flag, not an IOC directive.
This claim supports Aragon’s position, which has repeatedly asserted that no Olympic representative has provided a fixed date for when the project’s boundaries would be determined.
Miró added that the IOC did not require the public consultations, but did request supportive evidence. He suggested that adding support is preferable to subtracting it, referring to the possibility of a joint Catalonia-Aragon bid or a solo Catalonia bid. He described the IOC’s process as a continuous dialogue that has not fixed dates, with engagement extending beyond the Pyrenees to other global cities. In short, any deadline would come from national leadership, not from the IOC itself.
Catalonia asks COE to examine its option alone if there is no agreement with Aragon
Roger Pascual / Ignacio Martin
Miró noted that Bach would visit Madrid on the first of the month and emphasized his own role as an IOC adviser. He explained that the trip would address refugee relief and other topics, while acknowledging that the 2030 candidacy remains important but not the trip’s sole purpose.
Miró reflected on the inevitable compromises that accompany Olympic nominations. With three decades at the IOC, he has seen many bids face internal disagreements, yet he saw a readiness today driven by the Games’ growing appeal.
For those who want to be part of the Olympic project, there is a clear message: the pursuit remains highly relevant. Miró expressed hope that a deal could be reached, and that progress would continue in a fair and deliberate manner.
Aragon potential
Miró recalled that Jaca has previously been named for the Winter Games (1998, 2002, 2010, 2014), underscoring Aragon’s substantial potential. An IOC technician in Catalonia reportedly rated local facilities highly, highlighting Catalonia’s own strengths and Aragon’s complementary strengths. He noted strong interest from Salt Lake City, Sapporo, and Vancouver, with decisions likely guided by the overall appeal of each candidacy rather than any single bid.
The expectation remains that Blanco will decide whether to proceed with negotiations, with no fixed end date in sight. If negotiations continue, the decision will be made collaboratively by all involved parties, potentially extending toward 2030.
Regarding the planned July consultations in parts of the Catalan Pyrenees, the IOC stated there is no push for a referendum. Instead, the aim is to secure clear and unequivocal support from the candidate. Democratic methods vary by country, relying on mayors, organizations, or public groups. The prevailing view is that more than 60 percent support for the Games is favorable.
Barcelona brand
Miró chose not to settle on a specific nomination name, though he highlighted the Barcelona brand’s importance. He described how a city and even a nation can leverage the Games as a catalyst for urban development and transformative change. Barcelona’s role had set a global standard, and although the brand remains crucial, the candidacy itself must define its own title, without external pressure.
In essence, the Barcelona model has served as a benchmark worldwide. Yet the name of the bid remains a decision for the candidacy team, not a topic for the IOC or other bodies to dictate.
The head of the COE, Alejandro Blanco, faced questions last month about pressuring Aragon to accelerate a deal that would bring a joint bid to the IOC. The discussions have echoed across the public sphere in recent weeks, even shaping an April timeline that some suggested could push the 2030 Games to May 20. On Tuesday, Blanco denied any such coercion. Pere Miró, a special adviser to Olympic President Thomas Bach, stated that there is no IOC deadline and that any such timeline was a COE flag, not an IOC directive.
This claim supports Aragon’s position, which has repeatedly asserted that no Olympic representative has provided a fixed date for when the project’s boundaries would be determined.
Miró added that the IOC did not require the public consultations, but did request supportive evidence. He suggested that adding support is preferable to subtracting it, referring to the possibility of a joint Catalonia-Aragon bid or a solo Catalonia bid. He described the IOC’s process as a continuous dialogue that has not fixed dates, with engagement extending beyond the Pyrenees to other global cities. In short, any deadline would come from national leadership, not from the IOC itself.
Catalonia asks COE to examine its option alone if there is no agreement with Aragon
Roger Pascual / Ignacio Martin
Miró noted that Bach would visit Madrid on the first of the month and emphasized his own role as an IOC adviser. He explained that the trip would address refugee relief and other topics, while acknowledging that the 2030 candidacy remains important but not the trip’s sole purpose.
Miró reflected on the inevitable compromises that accompany Olympic nominations. With three decades at the IOC, he has seen many bids face internal disagreements, yet he saw a readiness today driven by the Games’ growing appeal.
For those who want to be part of the Olympic project, there is a clear message: the pursuit remains highly relevant. Miró expressed hope that a deal could be reached, and that progress would continue in a fair and deliberate manner.
Aragon potential
Miró recalled that Jaca has previously been named for the Winter Games (1998, 2002, 2010, 2014), underscoring Aragon’s substantial potential. An IOC technician in Catalonia reportedly rated local facilities highly, highlighting Catalonia’s own strengths and Aragon’s complementary strengths. He noted strong interest from Salt Lake City, Sapporo, and Vancouver, with decisions likely guided by the overall appeal of each candidacy rather than any single bid.
The expectation remains that Blanco will decide whether to proceed with negotiations, with no fixed end date in sight. If negotiations continue, the decision will be made collaboratively by all involved parties, potentially extending toward 2030.
Regarding the planned July consultations in parts of the Catalan Pyrenees, the IOC stated there is no push for a referendum. Instead, the aim is to secure clear and unequivocal support from the candidate. Democratic methods vary by country, relying on mayors, organizations, or public groups. The prevailing view is that more than 60 percent support for the Games is favorable.
Barcelona brand
Miró chose not to settle on a specific nomination name, though he highlighted the Barcelona brand’s importance. He described how a city and even a nation can leverage the Games as a catalyst for urban development and transformative change. Barcelona’s role had set a global standard, and although the brand remains crucial, the candidacy itself must define its own title, without external pressure.
In essence, the Barcelona model has served as a benchmark worldwide. Yet the name of the bid remains a decision for the candidacy team, not a topic for the IOC or other bodies to dictate.