Ukraine has submitted an official declaration to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on its intention to bid to host the 2022 Winter Olympics in the west of Ukraine.

"It will be an impetus not just for promotion of sports and tourism in Ukraine, but a very important component in the economic development of Ukraine, the attraction of the investments, the creation of new jobs, opening Ukraine to the world, returning Ukrainians working abroad to their motherland," Deputy Premier of Ukraine Oleksandr Vilkul said during the 28th General Assembly of the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine.

According to him, holding the Olympics in Lviv, Tysovets and Borzhava will create possibilities for practicing winter sports in this territory, which would attract tourists and professional sportsmen.

"About 50 million people in seven countries live within five hours of Lviv. We will create conditions for doing sports in this part of Europe. Besides, our sportsmen must train in Ukraine, not abroad. Ukrainians who are winter sport lovers will get an opportunity to visit their native Carpathians, with high quality services," the deputy premier said.

Vilkul also said that Ukraine knows who its potential rivals are, and is ready to compete with them for the right to host the 2022 Winter Olympics.

Almaty has already declared its intentions to submit an application, while Oslo, Stockholm, Munich and Krakow are also potential rivals.