By Duncan Mackay

Norway's Minister of Culture Thorhild Widvey during at the curling during Sochi 2014 with Prince Haakon ©Getty ImagesA decision on whether the Norwegian Government will back Oslo's campaign to host the 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympics will not be taken until later this year, despite its junior coalition partner pledging not to support the bid, the country's Minister of Culture Thorhild Widvey promised officials today.


Oslo's bid was dealt a major blow on Sunday (May 4) when the Progress Party voted against providing financial guarantees, claiming the money could be better spent on infrastructure, education, health-care and other issues.

Norway's Prime Minister Erna Solberg has also refused to publicly back the bid, claiming there needs to be "broad political support behind a decision to provide Government guarantees"..

The uncertainty led to the Norwegian Olympic and Paralympic Committee and Confederation of Sports (NIF) President Børre Rognlien seeking an urgent meeting today with Widvey, whose portfolio includes sport.

She assured them that Parliament still planned to debate whether to back the bid by providing the financial guarantees required by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) sometime in November or December.

The guarantees would need to be included in the Candidature City file that is due to be delivered to the IOC in January 2015.

Doubts remain over Oslo's bid to host the 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympics with a decision on whether the Government will provide the necessary financial guarantees not due until the end of the year ©Getty ImagesDoubts remain over Oslo's bid to host the 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympics with a decision on whether the Government will provide financial guarantees not due until the end of the year ©Getty Images

"The responses we received allows all parties have to carry on their work with a predictable time," said Rognlie following the meeting today in the Norwegian capital.

"It has been decided that work on Oslo 2022 will continue as planned."

Besides Rognlien, the meeting was also attended by Hallstein Bjercke, the City of Oslo's Vice Mayor, who was reassured by the attitude shown by Widvey, a former deputy leader of the Norwegian Sporting Association of People with Disabilities.

"Both NIF and Oslo are very pleased with the clear responses we received to our questions from the Culture Minister today," he said. 

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