Switzerland opens process for 2026 Winter Olympic bid

LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) Davos and St. Moritz want to mount another bid for the Winter Olympics, this time teaming up with Zurich for a shot at the 2026 Games.

The Swiss Olympic committee, which met with potential contenders Wednesday, hopes to submit a formal bid in September 2017.

Davos and St. Moritz return three years after their proposed bid for the 2022 Olympics was rejected in a referendum. The games eventually were awarded to Beijing.

A spokeswoman for the proposed 2026 bid, Sandra Felix, says ''everybody is open to have a look at the project again.''

Officials also heard from potential bids based in Sion, the Lake Geneva region and Bern. They were given a May 31 registration deadline.

Swiss officials say the country wants to attract Asian tourists after South Korea and China host the next two Winter Games.