The Winter Olympics would surely be affected if the 2022 World Cup is moved to January or February, but even a potential November World Cup in Qatar is being met with concern by winter sports officials.
“November is the start of the (winter sports) season for maybe, I would say, all the other federations,” Rene Fasel, who heads the Association of International Olympic Winter Sports Federations, told the AP. “For sure, we have to put up the flag and say, ‘Hey guys, be careful.’”
Fasel also heads the International Ice Hockey Federation.
“We should really clearly show our position and protect our own interests,” he said, according to the AP.
Senior officials from specific winter sports federations will meet and discuss an International Ski Federation (FIS) proposal this week, according to the AP.
“FIS will submit a proposal to the other six International Winter Sports Federations to sign a resolution against organizing the FIFA World Cup during the winter sports season in 2022,” was a decision made by the FIS Council at a Sunday meeting.
The 2022 World Cup will be held in Qatar, whose summer heat has caused soccer leaders to propose moving the tournament from June-July. November and January have been talked about.
In September, the International Olympic Committee reportedly “warned” FIFA about switching dates for 2022.
“We were aware that FIFA might consider changing the dates for the 2022 World Cup,” an IOC spokesman told the Press Association in the United Kingdom in September. “We are confident that FIFA will discuss the dates with us so as to coordinate them and avoid any effect on the Winter Games.”
In August, it was reported that though moving the World Cup out of the oppressive Qatari summer was likely, it was unlikely to move to February, the usual month for the Winter Olympics.
Almaty, Kazakhstan, is the one city to submit a 2022 Winter Olympic bid so far. Munich is moving forward with a bid, as are other European applicants.
The U.S. will not bid. The deadline to apply to the IOC is Nov. 14.
