Ice canoeing as Olympic demonstration sport? Quebec City mayor floats idea

If the Winter Games were held in Quebec City, the mayor would like to see several traditional Quebec activities become demonstration sports.

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"Ice canoeing would be a hit,"Labeaumesaid.

Healso suggested an extreme ice skating eventlike the Red Bull Crashed Ice competitionand dog-sledding as potential Olympic demonstration events.

The mayor made the comments while inSwitzerland attending ameeting onadvancing a bid to host the2026 Winter Games.

Labeaumehas insisted that he is "not in Olympic mode" and still has many questionsbefore he supports putting Quebec City forward as a candidate.

The mayor met with IOCpresident Thomas Bach earlier this week to find out more about what is required of cities who want to be candidates.

"I presented them my vision, my very Quebecvision of the games," he said.

Lebeaumesaid he'd like theWinter Games to coincide withCarnavale.

Mayor would want a smaller scale, more modest bid

Labeaume was particularly interested in knowing if the IOC was serious about holding a scaled back version of the Winter Games that are less expensive and smaller than previous events.

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The IOC adopted a plan called the Olympic Agenda 2020in late 2014that said it would encourage more candidate cities by reducing the expected cost of hosting the Games. Labeaume said after his meeting that the IOC was committed to that plan.

"Our vision doesn't scare them.Our vision corresponds with the 2020 Agenda here," he said.

Premier Philippe Couillardalso confirmed his conditional support for the games this week.

"I want them if they are feasible, if they don't put Quebec or Quebec City in a bad financial situation," Coullard said on Wednesday.

Labeaume willmeet with other sports federations while he is in Switzerland. He said he will also seek meeting with officials inLake Placid, N.Y. to discuss the possibility of sharing venues.

Quebec City made the shortlist for the 2002 Winter Olympics, but lost out to Salt Lake City.