The International Olympic Committee has announced that six cities have launched bids to stage the 2022 Winter Olympics.

Former summer Games hosts Beijing and Stockholm, plus 1952 winter Games hosts Oslo, are among the candidates.

Krakow in Poland, Kazakhstan's Almaty and Ukraine's Lviv complete the entries with the winning city named in 2015.

Only three cities bid for the 2018 winter Games, which were awarded to Pyeongchang. Russia's Sochi will stage the 2014 edition in February.

"I am delighted that six cities are bidding to host the 2022 Olympic Winter Games," IOC President Thomas Bach said.

"These cities and their supporters clearly understand the benefits that hosting the Games can have, and the long-lasting legacy that a Games can bring to a region."

Almaty, Kazakhstan's largest city, also bid to host the 2014 Games but was not selected as one of the three candidate cities.

A shortlist for the 2022 Games will be made in July next year before the winner is announced at the 127th IOC Session in Kuala Lumpur on 31 July, 2015.

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/olympics/24953464