CALGARY - Wayne Stewart entered the mayor’s race Tuesday promising to bid for the 2022 winter Olympics and have an independent auditor review how the city conducts its business.

“Together, let’s make Calgary great,” Stewart said. “Calgary is great, but we can’t rest on our laurels.

“We have to move boldly and confidently into the future.”

The retired oil and gas executive, who now coaches non-profit leaders, announced his run in front of about 75 supporters wearing t-shirts and buttons at Lougheed House.

Stewart, who also was executive director of the Calgary Homeless Foundation, outlined five elements of his platform.

He is promising to put in a bid for Calgary to host the 2022 winter Olympics, which would be just 12 years after Vancouver’s hosting this year.

As well, if elected he will launch an independent audit of how the city does business, including how goods and services are purchased, how council makes and applies decisions, what comes to council for a decision, and how the city approaches planning and public consultation.

Stewart pledged to continue to improve the city’s infrastructure — including roads, snow clearing, libraries and cultural facilities — which he acknowledged would take funds from other levels of government.

And he wants to make Calgary the world’s energy capital and promote greater public safety.

“A city cannot be great unless it’s great for all,” Stewart said, quoting a former United Way slogan.

There are now nine official candidates vying for mayor. The others are food activist Paul Hughes, former alderman and MLA Jon Lord, Ald. Joe Connelly, Ald. Ric McIver, Liberal MLA Kent Hehr, former alderman Craig Burrows, business professor Naheed Nenshi and Ald. Bob Hawkesworth.

Ald. Diane Colley-Urquhart is also rumoured to be entering the race.