Calgary Olympics 2026: the Unconventional Panel weighs in

If Calgary brought its twin polar bear mascotsout of retirement and gavethem the capacity to blink could it pull off another Winter Olympics?

"I'm against it. Nightmares of Hidy and Howdy," saidAndrew Phung.

"In the '60s and '70s we were trying to prove we're a world-class city. We proved that in 1988 and we've moved onto bigger and better things," said the actorand Calgary Eyeopener Unconventional panelist.

Calgary Eyeopener7:08Unconventional Panel on 2026 Olympics

Should Calgary bid on the 2026 Winter Olympics? Our Unconventional Panel weighs in.

On Tuesday, CalgaryMayor Naheed Nenshi confirmed thata group of community leaders are working on a bid for the 2026Winter Olympics.

• Winter Olympics bid in 2026 being considered, Calgary mayor confirms
• 2024 Olympics: John Tory confirms Toronto won't enter a bid

But it'snot justbears in cowboy hats that scare Phunghe also doesn't want to see hiscitygo in the red.

"Four of the six lastOlympic games have lost money. Nagano burnt their financial records to hide their losses."

Calgary engineerRavin Moorthysays Phungneeds to look at the bigger picture.

• Olympic bids are about more than just money

"The Olympic games is something that means something to a community. I can remember collecting pins, getting those little newspapers in school in the morning. I would like to see another generation of people, Calgarians, feel that spirit."

Youngblut says it would take more thanDavid Foster to bring back that feeling. Perhaps something a bit more radical?

"Wefigure out a way to make it Calgary 2026 not Calgary 1988 and then this is the kicker we leave the Olympics here forever. Calgary becomes the only host city for the Winter Olympics."