Lviv drops 2022 bid, targets 2026 Games - IOC

The western Ukrainian city had entered the fray with Beijing, Oslo, Almaty and Krakow for the 2022 Games but its bid was essentially put on hold after Russia moved to occupy parts of the country including Crimea.

IOC president Thomas Bach held discussions with Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk and the country's President of the National Olympic Committee (NOC) Sergey Bubka after which they decided to drop the 2022 bid.

"The decision comes as a result of the present political and economic circumstances in Ukraine, which were discussed between the three parties," the IOC said.

"In my discussions with the Ukrainian Prime Minster and NOC President, we concluded that it would be extremely difficult to pursue the 2022 bid under the current circumstances, but that a future bid would make sense for Ukraine and Ukrainian sport," Bach said.

His views were echoed by Yatsenyuk.

"...a bid for 2026 would have excellent potential for the economic recovery of the country, and could have huge benefits for Ukrainian society," the Ukrainian prime minister said.

Pole vault great Bubka thanked IOC for all the help and understanding the prevailing situation in Ukraine.

The 2018 Winter Olympics are being held in Pyeongchang, South Korea.

(Reporting by Amlan Chakraborty; Editing by John O'Brien)