Weekly updates describe how Catalonia weighed a stand-alone Olympic candidacy before any unilateral move. The central question remained whether Catalonia would cross a political barrier to pursue the Winter Games alone or align with Aragon. The COE had set a deadline around mid-May for a concrete agreement. Yet positions remained distant. With the government of Javier Lambán and the involved institutions presenting, discussing, and agreeing on a framework, Catalonia began to present its case independently as talks drifted toward a potential solo path.
The Catalan Hivern Sports Federation (FCEH), which had backed a pro-referendum stance, emerged as the leading advocate for a solo candidacy should the alliance with Aragon falter. Its leaders urged courage from the government, calling for Catalonia to submit a candidacy for 2030 and for the COE to act boldly and consistently. If partners diverged, they suggested seeking a different approach rather than sticking to a failing plan, according to statements attributed to David Samper, interim chair of the FCEH, while Mònica Bosch coordinated the Barcelona-Pirineus 2030 proposal. Internal sources from the Generalitat noted that while a deal with Aragon might be preferable, if Aragon persisted in its stance, the COE should exhaust all possibilities before risking the Games, and to study this option carefully, per the report from Generalitat.
The Aragon government did not rule out pursuing a Pyrenees-focused bid without Catalonia if the terms were not equal. Historically, Jaca had submitted bids in 1998, 2002, 2010, and 2014, all without success. Barcelona, after an earlier start, saw leadership changes in 2010 and subsequently in 2022 and 2026; the sentiment expressed was that it was now Catalonia’s turn to press forward, according to the FCEH chair.
The then-mayor, decades after a transformative period for the city, hoped for another Olympic moment in 2022 and aimed to be among the first to light the cauldron in both summer and winter formats. Following hosting the Summer Games in 2008, a winter rendezvous followed. Barcelona’s flame faded in 2013 but experienced a revival after Pere Aragonès initiated the next official step in July of the previous year.
The IOC began visiting bidding cities, starting in Salt Lake City (USA) at the end of the preceding month and then Vancouver (Canada) last week. Alongside the two American proposals, Sapporo (Japan) remained in contention as a possible competitor if it entered the field. Unlike the other candidates, Catalonia’s capital carried the advantage of having never hosted the Winter Games. Yet opposition from Aragon and some regional voices created uncertainty, complicating the path forward. President Thomas Bach was planned to visit Barcelona on June 1, underscoring that resolution of the unknown was needed first, according to recent updates. (Source: IOC communications and regional statements.)
reports
About a month earlier, Generalitat had posted on its website the reports prepared between 2018 and 2021 in support of a stand-alone Winter Games bid. The documents highlighted several conclusions: sustainability, as defined by the IOC, suggested that Catalonia could not host the Games without conducting certain tests outside its territory. The body noted a collection of 16 reports and a 183-page technical summary, indicating that most tests could be managed within Catalonia. Exceptions included cross-country skiing and speed skating, which would need to be conducted in Aragon under the terms of the agreement with Generalitat, the Spanish Government, and the COE. Skeleton, bobsleigh, and related jumps were identified as options to be considered or relocated, possibly to Sarajevo, depending on the COE’s preferences. (Source: Generalitat report archive, 2018–2021.)
The analysis painted a picture of a capable host with limitations tied to certain venues and logistical arrangements. In particular, the cross-border testing required for some winter disciplines suggested that a truly standalone Catalan bid would need to secure arrangements that enable those events to occur within or near the Catalan region. The overall conclusion emphasized the importance of testing and preparation, while acknowledging the region’s potential to host the majority of events with appropriate collaboration. (Source: 16 reports and the 183-page summary, Generalitat archives.)
Weekly updates reiterated the central tension: Catalonia weighed a stand-alone path while watching potential partners and opponents shape the negotiation landscape. The broader discussion remained focused on whether it could deliver a full, self-contained Winter Games bid or whether a cooperative arrangement with Aragon would eventually prove more viable. The path forward would hinge on political decisions, logistical feasibility, and the IOC’s assessment of Catalonia’s readiness to host a global event with robust sustainability and legacy plans. (Attribution: Generalitat, COE, IOC communications, and regional government statements.)