The Olympic Games is a highly anticipated sporting event, and behind the scenes, significant competition occurs between cities vying to host the event. The International Olympic Committee is responsible for selecting and awarding the host city for the Olympics. The process starts seven years before the Games and demands potential cities submit a bid book, a comprehensive document that outlines their vision, technical details and budget for the Games. The cost of hosting the Olympics can be astronomical, with recent Games costing up to $51bn. Despite the high costs, many cities view hosting the Olympics as an opportunity to boost their economy and international reputation.

Behind the Scenes of the Olympics: How Cities Compete to Host the Games

The Olympics is one of the most highly anticipated and prestigious sporting events in the world. Every four years, the best athletes from different countries gather to compete against each other in various sports. However, behind the glitz, glamour, and excitement of the games, there is a significant amount of planning and competition that goes on between cities vying to host the Olympics. In this article, we will take a closer look at the behind-the-scenes action of how cities compete to host the games.

The Bidding Process

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is responsible for selecting and awarding the host city for the Olympics. The bidding process usually begins seven years before the Games, with the announcement of the invitation to bid. Interested cities are required to submit a bid book that outlines their vision, technical details, and budget for the Games. The bid book is a comprehensive document that must include information on the following:

• Infrastructure
• Sports venues
• Finance
• Transportation
• Tourism
• Environment and sustainability

Once the cities have submitted their bid books, the IOC evaluates them and makes a shortlist of the finalists. The shortlisted cities then make presentations to the IOC’s executive board, outlining their plans for the Games. The final decision is usually announced two years before the Games are scheduled to take place.

The Costs of Hosting the Olympics

The cost of hosting the Olympics can be astronomical, and cities must be prepared to foot the bill. The IOC provides financial assistance to host cities, but this is only a small percentage of the total cost. The host city is responsible for building the necessary infrastructure and sports venues, providing security, transportation, and accommodation for athletes and spectators, among other things.

Recent examples of the high costs associated with hosting the Olympics include the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games, which cost $13.1 billion, and the 2014 Sochi Games, which cost a staggering $51 billion. The cost of hosting the Olympics is one of the reasons why not many cities are willing to bid for the Games.

The Benefits of Hosting the Olympics

Despite the high costs of hosting the Olympics, many cities see it as an opportunity to boost their economy, increase tourism, and enhance their reputation on the world stage. For example, hosting the 2000 Sydney Games led to an increase in tourism and investment, while the 2008 Beijing Games helped China showcase its economic and technological prowess to the world.

However, the benefits of hosting the Olympics are not always realized. In some cases, the infrastructure built for the Games becomes redundant after the event is over, leading to a waste of resources. Moreover, hosting the Olympics can put a strain on a city’s resources and infrastructure, causing inconveniences to residents and businesses.

The Future of Hosting the Olympics

In recent years, there has been a decline in the number of cities willing to bid for the Olympics due to the high costs and risks involved. The bidding process itself has come under scrutiny, with accusations of corruption and unfairness. In response, the IOC has made changes to the bidding process to make it more transparent and cost-effective.

The IOC has also introduced a new concept called the Olympic Agenda 2020, which emphasizes sustainability, cost-effectiveness, and legacy when planning and organizing the Games. The Olympic Agenda 2020 aims to make the Games more attractive to potential host cities by reducing the financial burden and increasing the benefits of hosting the Olympics.

Conclusion

The competition to host the Olympics is intense, and cities must be prepared to invest a significant amount of time, money, and resources to make their bid successful. While the benefits of hosting the Olympics are clear, the risks and costs involved have caused many cities to reconsider their bid. However, with the changes being implemented by the IOC, there is hope that more cities will be willing to bid for the Games in the future.