Europe Likely Site Of Winter Games

The International Olympic Committee expects five or six bids - all from Europe - for the 2006 Winter Games, IOC president Juan Antonio Samaranch said.

Bids are expected from Sion, Switzerland; Jaca, Spain; Poprad-Tatry, Slovakia; Innsbruck, Austria; and possibly a three-country candidacy involving Italy, Austria and Slovenia.

If Stockholm is not selected to host the 2004 Games next month, Samaranch said there may be a joint 2006 bid from Sweden and Finland.