Oslo, Almaty and Beijing were confirmed as the official candidates to host the 2022 Winter Olympic Games on Monday
even though an International Olympic Committee (IOC) report found several weaknesses in the Kazakh city's bid.
Stockholm, Krakow and Lviv had also submitted bids to the IOC but all three later withdrew.
The three candidates were confirmed on the strength of an IOC report into their ability to host the games.
The report assessed each city on 15 criteria, including accommodation, venues, doping control, safety and transport.
Oslo scored strongly except on public support for the games - a poll by the IOC found 36 percent support for the Games in the Norwegian capital Oslo and surrounding areas but 50 percent against the city hosting the event in 2022.
Almaty was weak in many respects - concept for the Olympic Village, media centre plans, "very limited" experience in holding big winter events, policing, telecoms and internet policies and the environmental impact, as well as the budget.
Beijing's bid scored the weakest of the three on environmental impact and on its venues while its plans hinged on building a high-speed railway. It scored highly, however, on government and public support, contrary to Oslo.
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